smectic

Meanings

1. Cleansing.
2. Astringent; detergent.
3. Whose molecules are aligned in layers, with the molecules lying perpendicular to the plane of the layers.

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

Etymology

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