tube

tube [to͞ob, tyo͞ob]

n.

[Fr < L tubus, a pipe]

1.

a) a hollow cylinder or pipe of metal, glass, rubber, etc., usually long in proportion to its diameter, used for conveying fluids, etc.

b) an instrument, part, organ, etc. resembling a tube [bronchial tubes, eustachian tubes]

c) a fallopian tube: usually used in pl.

2. a rubber casing inflated with air and used, esp. formerly, with an outer casing to form an automotive tire

3. a cylindrical container made of thin, pliable metal, plastic, etc., fitted at one end with a screw cap, and used for holding pastes or semiliquids, which can be squeezed out

☆ 4. short for:

a) ELECTRON TUBE

b) VACUUM TUBE

5.

a) a tubular tunnel for a railroad, subway, etc.

b) Brit. an underground electric railway; subway

6. Bot. the lower, united part of a gamopetalous corolla or a gamosepalous calyx

7. Elec. the tubular space bounded by the lines of electric or magnetic force passing through every point on a closed curve on the outside of a charged body: in full tube of flux or tube of force

vt.

tubed, tubing

1. to provide with, place in, or pass through a tube or tubes

2. to make tubular

——————

down the tube or down the tubes

Informal in or into a condition of failure, defeat, etc.

——————

☆ the tube

Informal television

tubelike

adj.