1. Chem. A vessel containing boiling water or water heated to a given temperature in or over which preparations are placed in suitable vessels to be digested, evaporated or dried.
1824. Chem. Recreat., 226. Bath (Water) A vessel of boiling water, in which other vessels containing water are to be placed.
1874. Garrod & Baxter, Mat. Med., 70. The liquid is decanted from the precipitated oxide; the latter is then washed with distilled water, and dried on a water-bath.
1888. Rutley, Rock-Forming Min., 6. It … has the great advantage of not crystallizing out when cooling after concentration upon the water-bath.
2. = BAIN-MARIE.
1833. Loudon, Encycl. Archit., § 593. [In] A Design for a Cottage Kitchen Grate…. Fig. 526 shows the top of the water-bath, with holes at one end for inserting saucepans.
1891. Century Dict.
3. A bath composed of water as distinguished from a vapor-bath.
1891. Century Dict.
1909. Westm. Gaz., 4 Feb., 9/2. Equipment … for the treatment of nervous diseases, in the shape of water-baths, electrical appliances, [etc.].
