Laboratory Procedures

verb to pour a liquid from one container to another, typically in order to separate sediment from the liquid

• The sommelier demonstrated how to properly decant the wine before serving.
• I always decant the wine before we have guests over.
• Let's decant this bottle and get the party started!
• She needed to decant her thoughts before making a decision.

verb to make a liquid thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent

adjective having been made weaker in force, content, or value by the addition of something else

• It is important to dilute the solution to the correct concentration before conducting the experiment.
• Make sure you dilute the juice before serving it to guests.
• I always dilute my drinks with a little bit of water to make them last longer.
• His presence in the meeting diluted the impact of the important announcement.

noun the practice of drawing blood from patients for diagnostic testing or blood donation

• Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood from patients for medical testing.
• I heard that Sarah is considering a career in phlebotomy.
• I can't believe how good that phlebotomist was at finding my vein!
• In a way, phlebotomy is like extracting the truth from someone's veins.

noun an individual animal, plant, piece of a mineral, etc., used as an example of its species or type for scientific study or display

• The scientist carefully examined the specimen under the microscope.
• I found a weird-looking specimen in the backyard.
• Check out this cool specimen I found on my hike!
• The old house was a perfect specimen of Victorian architecture.

noun a sterile person or animal, especially one that is unable to produce offspring

adjective describing something that is free from living organisms, especially bacteria, and therefore unable to reproduce

• The surgical tools must be kept completely sterile to prevent any infections.
• Make sure you clean the wound with a sterile cloth to avoid any complications.
• I don't trust that place, it feels too sterile for my liking.
• The corporate office had a sterile atmosphere, lacking any creativity or warmth.

noun a diagnostic test that examines the urine for abnormalities such as blood, protein, or bacteria

• The doctor ordered a urinalysis to check for any signs of infection or kidney disease.
• I had to do a urinalysis at the lab today, it was no fun.
• I heard they make you do a pee test, aka urinalysis, before starting the job.
• The detective conducted a urinalysis of the evidence to piece together the crime scene.

noun a type of work that is done at a bench or worktable, typically involving manual tasks or craftsmanship

• The scientist spent hours conducting bench work in the laboratory.
• I heard she's really good at bench work, always getting accurate results.
• I can't stand doing bench work, it's so boring.
• In order to succeed in this field, you need to put in the bench work and practice consistently.

verb to pour or spread a liquid over something

• The chef carefully affused the sauce over the dish to enhance the flavor.
• I'll affuse some perfume before going out.
• She loves to affuse glitter all over her face before a night out.
• His words affused hope into her heart during a difficult time.