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cyst

Syllabification: (cyst)
Pronunciation: /sist/
Translate cyst | into French | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of cyst

noun

Biology
  • in an animal or plant, a thin-walled, hollow organ or cavity containing a liquid secretion; a sac, vesicle, or bladder.
  • Medicine in the body, a membranous sac or cavity of abnormal character containing fluid.
  • a 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 British & World English dictionary