a pear-shaped vessel, open at both ends, formerly used with similar vessels for collecting condensates, esp of subliming mercury
Word origin
C16: via Old French from Spanish, from Arabic al-uthāl the vessel
aludel in American English
(ˈæljuˌdɛl)
noun
Chemistry
a pear-shaped vessel open at both ends so that several such vessels may be fitted into one another to form a series: used in the sublimation of iodine, in condensing mercury vapor, etc.