A small bottle, typically made of glass, used to store liquid medicine, perfume, or other substances.
From Old French 'viole,' possibly from Latin 'vitrum' (glass). The word entered English around 1400 and has remained stable in meaning—a small container for precious liquids.
Vials are surprisingly important in science and medicine: insulin, vaccines, and rare perfumes all come in vials because the small surface area prevents contamination and oxidation. A tiny container is actually the best design.
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