cyst

¹ American  

[sist] / sɪst /

noun

1. Pathology. a closed, bladderlike sac formed in animal tissues, containing fluid or semifluid matter.

2. a bladder, sac, or vesicle.

3. Botany, Mycology.

   1. a sporelike cell with a resistant, protective wall.

   2. a cell or cavity enclosing reproductive bodies.

4. Zoology.

   1. a sac, usually spherical, surrounding an animal that has passed into a dormant condition.

   2. such a sac plus the contained animal.

   3. a capsule or resistant covering.

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cyst- ² American  

1. variant of cysto-, before a vowel.

   cystectomy.

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-cyst ³ American  

1. variant of cysto-, as final element in a compound word.

   statocyst.

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cyst ¹ British  

/ sɪst /

noun

1. pathol any abnormal membranous sac or blisterlike pouch containing fluid or semisolid material

2. anatomy any normal sac or vesicle in the body

3. a thick-walled protective membrane enclosing a cell, larva, or organism

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-cyst ² British  

combining form

1. indicating a bladder or sac

   otocyst

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cyst Scientific  

/ sĭst /

1. An abnormal membranous sac in the body, containing a gaseous, liquid, or semisolid substance.

2. A small, capsulelike form of certain organisms that develops in response to adverse or extreme conditions. Under adverse conditions, for instance, dinoflagellates form nonmotile resting cysts that fall to the ocean or lake bottom and can remain there for years before reviving. Certain invertebrates, such as the water bear (phylum Tardigrada), also develop cysts.

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cyst Cultural  

1. An abnormal saclike structure that develops in the body and is filled with fluid or semisolid material.

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Usage

What does cyst- mean? The combining form cyst- is a combining form used like a suffix meaning “cyst,” which is a scientific term for a bladder, sac, or vesicle. It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology and pathology.The form cyst- comes from Greek kýstis, meaning “bag,” “pouch,” or “bladder.”What are variants of cyst-?The form cyst- is a variant of cysto-, which loses its -o- when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.A rare variant of cysto- is cysti-, as in cystiform.When used as a suffix, the combining form cyst- becomes -cyst, as in oocyst. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for these forms.

What does -cyst mean? The combining form -cyst is used like a suffix meaning “cyst,” which is a scientific term for a bladder, sac, or vesicle. It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology.The form -cyst comes from Greek kýstis, meaning “bag,” “pouch,” or “bladder.”What are variants of -cyst?When used as a prefix, the combining form -cyst variously becomes cyst-, cysti-, or cysto- (as in cystoma). Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles for these forms.

Etymology

Origin of cyst

First recorded in 1705–15; from New Latin cystis, from Greek kýstis “bag, pouch, bladder”; akin to kŷma cyma

Example Sentences

“It was profound to see this full-term baby sitting behind a very large ovarian tumor, not in the uterus. In my entire career, I’ve never even heard of one making it this far into the pregnancy,” said gynecological oncologist Michael Manuel of Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, who helped remove the giant cyst.

From Los Angeles Times

Manuel was able to lift the cyst out of the way so Ozimek and his team could deliver the baby.

From Los Angeles Times

The baby had grown inside Lopez’s abdomen and pushed the large cyst forward.

From Los Angeles Times

“Suze was pregnant, but her uterus was empty, and a giant benign ovarian cyst weighing over 20 pounds was taking up so much space,” said John Ozimek, medical director of labor and delivery, in the release.

From Los Angeles Times

“Because of the large ovarian cyst that had been growing for years, it could have been a false positive, even ovarian cancer,” Lopez said of her pregnancy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blister
• sac
• sore