cyst

¹

[ sist ]

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.

cyst-

²

1. variant of cysto-, before a vowel:

   cystectomy.

-cyst

³

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

   statocyst.

-cyst

¹

combining form

1. indicating a bladder or sac

   otocyst

cyst

²

/ 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

cyst

/ 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.

cyst

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyst¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cyst¹

from Greek kustis bladder

Origin of cyst²

C18: from New Latin cystis, from Greek kustis pouch, bag, bladder

Example Sentences

The former Big Brother host underwent surgery in November after a colloid cyst was found earlier that month during a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.

From BBC

"So you've got to almost burst that cyst, excise it, clean it out, deal with it."

From BBC

The TV presenter, 57, underwent surgery in November after a colloid cyst was found during a health check-up as part of her menopause advocacy work.

From BBC

"But there wasn't much connection with other main organs like the liver or kidneys," Dr Krishna said, adding that they also found a large cyst in the teen's abdomen.

From BBC

Pippa has been left with life-affecting pain due to the cyst's impact on her organs, as well as nerve damage in her leg, which she now has to treat daily.

From BBC

Related Words

• blister
• sac
• sore