Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
cytologic smear

cytologic smear

6.1
A small sample of cells spread thin on a glass slide to look at under a microscope
  • noun
  • /ˌsaɪtəˈlɒdʒɪk smɪr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : frotis citológico
  • The doctor ordered a cytologic smear to check for abnormalities.

Examples

  • Routine screening often includes a cytologic smear for early signs of disease.

  • The doctor prepared a cytologic smear to examine the patient's blood cells under the microscope.

  • A cytologic smear can help detect abnormal cells in tissue samples.

  • A cytologic smear is essential for early cancer detection.

  • A cytologic smear can help detect abnormal cells in tissue samples.

  • Routine screening often includes a cytologic smear for early signs of disease.

  • The doctor prepared a cytologic smear to examine the patient's blood cells under the microscope.

Synonyms

smear
vscytologic smear
  • Specialized
21 6.4

A thin sample of cells or fluid placed on a glass slide

is specifically prepared and stained to show cells for cytological diagnosis
cytosmear
vscytologic smear
  • Specialized
9.1

A thin sample of cells spread and stained on a glass slide to view under a microscope

is the same meaning but uses the other technical name
cytologic specimen
vscytologic smear
  • Specialized
8.0

A sample of cells taken from the body for examination under a microscope

is a slide smear specifically spread and stained to view individual cells

Surface Forms

cytologic smear singular
cytologic smears plural

Morphology

cytologic + smear

The meaning is directly compositional: 'cytologic' (relating to cells/cell analysis) modifies 'smear' (a specimen spread thinly), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents can infer it is a smear used for cytological examination. The adjective+noun pattern is a standard, predictable formation even though the term is technical in register.

Etymology

Cytologic smear comes from cytologic (about 'cells') and smear (to spread a thin layer on a glass slide). Doctors spread a small sample of tissue or blood on a slide, stain it, and look at the cells under a microscope, so the phrase means a thin sample of cells prepared for examination.