smectic

From Latin smecticus, from Ancient Greek σμηκτικός (smēktikós), from σμήχειν (smḗkhein, “to wipe, to cleanse”) + -ικός (-ikós, “-ic”).

• Rhymes: -ɛktɪk

smectic (not comparable)

1. (rare) Cleansing.
2. (rare) Astringent; detergent.
3. (chemistry, physics) Describing a class of liquid crystals whose molecules are aligned in layers, with the molecules lying perpendicular to the plane of the layers.

• smectic phase

• cholesteric
• nematic

smectic (plural smectics)

1. A liquid crystal having the molecules aligned in this way.

Borrowed from French smectique.

smectic m or n (feminine singular smectică, masculine plural smectici, feminine and neuter plural smectice)

1. smectic