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cyst

Pronunciation: /sɪst/

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Definition of cyst

noun

  • 1 Biology a thin-walled hollow organ or cavity in an animal or plant, containing a liquid secretion; a sac, vesicle, or bladder.
  • 2 Medicine a membranous sac or cavity of abnormal character in the body, containing fluid.
  • 3a tough protective capsule enclosing the larva of a parasitic worm or the resting stage of an organism.

Origin:

early 18th century: from late Latin cystis, from Greek kustis 'bladder'

cyst in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cyst in the US English dictionary

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