cyst
(sɪst)
n. 1. any abnormal saclike growth of the body in which matter is retained.
2. a bladder, sac, or vesicle.
3. a. a protective capsule or spore surrounding an inactive or resting organism or a reproductive body.
b. such a capsule and its contents.
[1705–15; < New Latin
cystis < Greek
kýstis pouch, bladder; akin to
kŷma cyma]
cyst-
var. of
cysto-, before a vowel:
cystectomy.-cyst
var. of
cysto-, as final element in a word:
statocyst.Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.