ÆOLIPILE

{ Æ‐ol″i‐pile, Æ‐ol″i‐pyle } (�), n. [[L. aeolipilae; Aeolus god of the winds + pila a ball, or Gr. � gate (i.e., doorway of Æolus); cf. F. éolipyle.]] An apparatus consisting chiefly of a closed vessel (as a globe or cylinder) with one or more projecting bent tubes, through which steam is made to pass from the vessel, causing it to revolve. [Written also eolipile.] ☞ Such an apparatus was first described by Hero of Alexandria about 200 years b. c. It has often been called the first steam engine.