Bottles are an important tool for many new parents, whether they’re breastfeeding or using formula. The right bottle can help limit your baby’s exposure to sugary liquids, promote independence and encourage fine motor skills. But with so many options and different sizes, it can be confusing to know what to choose.
A bottle is a hollow cylindrical container used to store liquids. Most bottles are made of glass, though other materials may be used. Some types of bottles are specialized for particular uses, such as milk or other beverages, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, or industrial solvents. Some bottles are designed to be easily portable, while others are intended for use with a specific feeding method. Bottles can be made of plastic, glass, or metal, and are usually fitted with a lid. Plastic bottle are often molded, while other bottles are formed by inserting a pre-formed base into a mold. The bottle’s contents are then added and the assembly is cooled and hardened. Bottles are typically sealed with a label that can be attached or built into the bottle during production.
The term bottle refers to a specific type of drinking vessel, but is also used figuratively to mean any container that holds liquid. In common usage, the word is most often applied to containers for alcoholic beverages, but can also apply to non-alcoholic drinks such as juice or water. Historically, the word was used to refer to a container made of glass or pottery, but in modern times it is more commonly applied to any kind of bottle.
The word “bottle” is derived from the Latin verb bottere, meaning to drink. The word’s origin is uncertain, but it probably dates back to the early Middle Ages. In the early years of the Christian era, there was a strong interest in alchemy, and the development of the first bottles was probably influenced by this.
Glass is a manufactured product created by melting and cooling sand or other inorganic material in a process called fusion. A variety of additives may be included in the glass formulation, depending on the application. For example, in making bottle glass, iron is typically removed from the sand to prevent it from imparting a green color to the finished product. A more complete description of glass and its manufacturing is given in the Wikipedia article on glass.
A bottle episode is a television show episode that takes place entirely on a set the series regularly uses, rather than traveling to another location for filming. In addition to the cost savings, bottle episodes are often shorter than standard episodes and contain fewer elaborate props and special effects. In some cases, the episode is so streamlined that it’s even referred to as a suitcase episode. In this case, the name is a perfect fit because the episode is essentially a brief case full of interesting character stories and fascinating behind-the-scenes detail.