[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

aeolipile \aeol"ipile\, aeolipyle \aeol"ipyle\, n. l.
   aeolipilae; aeolus god of the winds + pila a ball, or gr. ?
   gate i. e., doorway of aeolus; cf. f. 'eolipyle.
   an apparatus consisting chiefly of a closed vessel as a
   globe or cylinder with one or more projecting bent tubes,
   through which steam is made to pass from the vessel, causing
   it to revolve. written also eolipile.
   1913 webster

   note: such an apparatus was first described by hero of
         alexandria about 200 years b. c. it has often been
         called the first steam engine.
         1913 webster aeolotropic
see also:
eolipile 

Aeolipile >> A Words
Aeolipile, definition of term: Aeolipile
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