smectic

[ smek-tik ]

adjectivePhysical Chemistry.(of liquid crystals)
  1. noting a mesomorphic state in which the arrangement of the molecules is in layers or planes.

Origin of smectic

1
1665–75 for earlier sense “cleansing”; <Latin smēcticus<Greek smēktikós, equivalent to smēkt(ós) smeared, verbid of smḗchein to wash out, clean + -tikos-tic

Words Nearby smectic

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British Dictionary definitions for smectic

smectic

/ (ˈsmɛktɪk) /


adjective
  1. chem (of a substance) existing in or having a mesomorphic state in which the molecules are oriented in layers: Compare nematic See also liquid crystal

Origin of smectic

1
C17: via Latin from Greek smēktikos, from smēkhein to wash; from the soaplike consistency of a smectic substance

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