beaker

Meaning

1. A flat-bottomed vessel, with a lip, used as a laboratory container.
2. A drinking vessel without a handle, sometimes for the use of children.
3. A mug.
4. (slang) A scientist.

Synonyms

cup

mug

goblet

glass

jar

🫙

facer

flask

measuring cup

measuring jug

pot

receptacle

retort

stoup

tankard

tub

tumbler

urn

watering place

drinking vessel

jorum

bocal

bottle

Bunsen beaker

chalice

container

dispenser

drink

🥤

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbiːkə(ɹ)/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: bekyr

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: Bieker

Cognate with Dutch: beker

Cognate with German: Becher

Cognate with Danish: bæger

Cognate with Italian: bicchiere

In summary

From Middle English bekyr, biker, from Old Norse bikarr (“cup”), from Old Saxon bikeri (“cup”), from Proto-West Germanic *bikārī, from Late Latin bīcārium (“wine vat, jug”), of disputed origin. Possibly from Ancient Greek βῖκος (bîkos, “earthenware jug, wine jar”), or from Latin bacarium (“wine vat, vase”).
Cognate with Saterland Frisian Bieker (“mug, cup, beaker”), Dutch beker (“beaker, cup”), German Becher (“beaker, cup, goblet”), Danish bæger (“beaker”), Italian bicchiere (“cup, glass (for drink)”). Doublet of pitcher.