centrifuge

Meanings

Noun

• A device in which a mixture of denser and lighter materials (normally dispersed in a liquid) is separated by being spun about a central axis at high speed.
• An apparatus in which humans are spun to simulate acceleration in an aircraft or spacecraft.

Verb

• To rotate something in a centrifuge in order to separate its constituents

Origin

• From French centrifuge from Latin centrum ("center") + fugiō
• centri- + -fuge