\Car"bu*ret`or\, n. (Chem.)
An apparatus in which coal gas, hydrogen, or air is passed
through or over a volatile hydrocarbon, in order to confer or
increase illuminating power. [Written also {carburettor}.]

\Car"bu*ret`or\, Carburettor \Car"bu*ret`tor\, n.
One that carburets; specif., an apparatus in which air or gas
is carbureted, as by passing it through a light petroleum
oil. The carburetor for a gasoline engine is usually either a
{surface carburetor}, or a {float, float-feed, or spray},
{carburetor}. In the former air is charged by being passed
over the surface of gasoline. In the latter a fine spray of
gasoline is drawn from an atomizing nozzle by a current of
air induced by the suction of the engine piston, the supply
of gasoline being regulated by a float which actuates a
needle valve controlling the outlet of the feed pipe. Alcohol
and other volatile inflammable liquids may be used instead of
gasoline.