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, of a liquid crystal) Whose molecules are aligned in layers, with the molecules lying perpendicular to the plane of the layers.

   The smectic phases, which are found at lower temperatures than the nematic, form well-defined layers that can slide over one another in a manner similar to that of soap. […] There are many different smectic phases, all characterized by different types and degrees of positional and orientational order.^[Wikipedia]

   • 2005, Claire Loison, Numerical Simulations of a Smectic Lamellar Phase of Amphiphilic Molecules, Cuvillier Verlag, page 31,

     Before studying the fluctuations and defects of the bilayers in the smectic phase, one should first characterize the equilibrium structure of the simulated lamellar phase.

• smectic phase

• cholesteric
• nematic

smectic (plural smectics)

1. A liquid crystal having the molecules aligned in this way; a phase of a liquid crystal in which the molecules are so aligned.

Liquid crystal § Smectic phases on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Borrowed from French smectique.

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

1. smectic