| 释义 |
ˈtest-tube
[f. test n.1 + tube.]
a. A cylinder of thin transparent glass closed at one end, used to hold liquids under test. Also transf.
1846G. E. Day tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. II. 176 The sediment must then be placed in a test-tube..and gradually raised to the boiling point. 1860F. Winslow Obscure Dis. Brain & Mind viii. (L.), There is no possibility of the medical expert placing the diseased mental element..in a psychological crucible or test-tube. 1888Rutley Rock-Forming Min. 6 The test-tube..is plunged into cold water.
b. attrib., as test-tube experiment; test-tube baby, (a) a baby conceived by artificial insemination; (b) a baby that has developed from an ovum fertilized outside the mother's body; also fig. and in similar Combs., as test-tube child, test-tube pregnancy; test-tube cultivation, culture, the raising of bacteria in a nutrient medium contained in a test-tube.
1886H. M. Biggs tr. Hueppe's Bacteriol. Invest. 142 In order to do this, test-tube cultures are employed, in which..many peculiarities of growth can be better noted. 1899J. Cagney Jaksch's Clin. Diagn. vi. (ed. 4) 212 The bactericidal power of such serum has been established by numerous test-tube-experiments. Ibid. x. 444 It is usually expedient to make plate and test-tube..cultivations together. 1935E. Novak Woman asks Doctor xii. 155 There has been..a good deal of unfortunate newspaper discussion on the subject of artificial insemination and ‘test-tube babies’. 1945Daily Herald 20 Apr. 3/8 Warning on test tube babies. Artificial insemination of women is being performed on a small scale in this country. 1958Times 18 Jan. 7/2 A ‘test-tube’ child cannot grow up knowing about his true origin. 1965New Scientist 11 Nov. 392/3 The idea of ‘test-tube babies’ is no longer something to be woven into the plot of a science fiction novel. Serious-minded scientists are not only thinking about cultivating human embryos on the laboratory bench—they are developing the techniques which will make this a practical possibility. 1978Times 26 July 1/1 The world's first test⁓tube baby, a girl, was born by caesarian section just before midnight at Oldham and District General Hospital, Greater Manchester... The embryo was implanted in Mrs Brown's womb after being fertilized in Mr Steptoe's laboratories. 1982New Scientist 4 Feb. 290 Since the birth of the first ‘test-tube baby’ three and a half years ago it has become increasingly obvious that fertilising human eggs in the laboratory is not simply a clinical technique for relieving infertility. |