The spelling of the word "Matrass" is often confusing due to the silent "r." The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /məˈtræs/. The first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, followed by a stressed "tr" sound, and ending with the short "a" sound. The spelling of this word is derived from the French "matras," which means "mattress." In chemistry, a matrass is a thick-walled glass flask used for distillation, and its spelling must be carefully typed to avoid any confusion with the word "mattress."
A matrass is a specialized laboratory glassware used in the field of chemistry. It is a round-bottomed flask, typically made of borosilicate glass, that has a long neck and a narrow opening. The round shape of the matrass allows for efficient mixing of reactants and makes it ideal for performing chemical reactions under conditions that require a high degree of precision and control.
Matrasses are commonly used in various laboratory procedures, such as distillation, refluxing, and heating of liquids. They are designed to withstand high temperatures and are often used with glassware setups involving condensers, thermometers, and other equipment to carry out experiments safely.
The narrow neck of the matrass serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it allows for the attachment of various accessories like stoppers, rubber tubes, or ground glass joints to facilitate proper sealing and secure connections. Secondly, it serves as a means to control the flow of reactants or to collect and transfer gases or vapors generated during the experiment.
Matrasses come in various sizes, ranging from a few milliliters to liters in volume, enabling chemists to work with different quantities of substances depending on their experimental needs. They are widely used in research laboratories, educational institutions, and industrial settings, and are essential tools in the field of chemistry for conducting a wide range of experiments.
A long-necked glass vessel used for heating dry substances in chemical manipulations.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
A chemical vessel in the shape of an egg with a tapering neck, used for distilling, &c.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "matrass" comes from the Arabic word "mādarah", which refers to a large shallow dish or basin. This term was then borrowed into Italian as "matraccio" during the Renaissance. From Italian, the word entered the English language in the 17th century as "matrass", referring to a vessel used in alchemy. Over time, the meaning of "matrass" evolved to refer to a specific type of glass container used in chemistry and in laboratories.