n. 1. One who, or that which, condenses. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Physic) (a) An instrument for condensing air or other elastic fluids, consisting of a cylinder having a movable piston to force the air into a receiver, and a valve to prevent its escape. (b) An instrument for concentrating electricity by the effect of induction between conducting plates separated by a nonconducting plate. (c) A lens or mirror, usually of short focal distance, used to concentrate light upon an object. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Chem.) An apparatus for receiving and condensing the volatile products of distillation to a liquid or solid form, by cooling. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. (Steam Engine) An apparatus, separate from the cylinder, in which the exhaust steam is condensed by the action of cold water or air. See Illust. of Steam engine. [ 1913 Webster ] Achromatic condenser (Optics), an achromatic lens used as a condenser. -- Bull's-eye condenser, or Bull's-eye (Optics), a lens of short focal distance used for concentrating rays of light. -- Injection condenser, a vessel in which steam is condensed by the direct contact of water. -- Surface condenser, an apparatus for condensing steam, especially the exhaust of a steam engine, by bringing it into contact with metallic surface cooled by water or air. [ 1913 Webster ]
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