Pap test

or pap test

[ pap test ]

noun

1. a test for cancer of the cervix, consisting of the staining of cervical cells taken in a cervical or vaginal smear Pap smear, or pap smear for examination of exfoliated cells.
2. a vaginal Pap smear used to evaluate estrogen levels.
3. an examination of exfoliated cells in any body fluid, as sputum or urine, for cancer cells.

Pap test

/ pæp /

noun

1. another name for cervical smear
2. a similar test for precancerous cells in other organs

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pap test¹

First recorded in 1955–60; named after George Papanicolaou (1883–1962), U.S. cytologist, born in Greece, who developed the staining method

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pap test¹

C20: named after George Papanicolaou (1883–1962), US anatomist, who devised it

Example Sentences

That drop was due mostly to the increased use of the Pap test.

From The Daily Beast

The drop was due mostly to the increased use of the Pap test.

From The Daily Beast