CY -abbr
- calendar year
cy·an ['sī-,an, -ən] -n
- a greenish-blue color used in photography and color printing of one of the primary colors
cyan- -comb form
- dark blue : blue
- cyanogen
- cyanide
cy·an·a·mide [sī-'a-nə-məd] -n
- a caustic acidic compound CH 2N 2
- calcium cyanamide
cy·a·nate ['sī-ə-,nāt, -nət] -n
- a salt (as ammonium cyanate) or ester of cyanic acid
cy·an·ic acid [sī-'a-nik-] -n
- a strong acid HOCN used to prepare cyanates
cy·a·nide ['sī-ə-,nīd, -nəd] -n
- : a compound of cyanogen with a more electropositive element or group: as
- potassium cyanide
- sodium cyanide
- cyanogen
cy·a·nine ['sī-ə-,nēn, -nən] -n
- any of various dyes used esp. to sensitize photographic film to light from the green, yellow, red, and infrared regions of the spectrum
cy·a·no ['sī-ə-(,)nō, sī-'a-(,)nō] -adj
- relating to or containing the cyanogen group
cy·a·no·ac·ry·late [,sī-ə-nō-'a-krə-,lāt, sī-,a-nō-] -n
- any of several liquid acrylate monomers that readily polymerize as anions and are used as adhesives in industry and in closing wounds in surgery
cy·a·no·bac·te·ri·um [-bak-'tir-ē-əm] -n
- any of a major group (Cyanobacteria) of photosynthetic bacteria that have two photosystems, produce molecular oxygen, and use water as an electron-donating substrate in photosynthesis called also blue-green alga
cy·a·no·co·bal·a·min [-kō-'ba-lə-mən] -n
- vitamin b 12
cy·an·o·gen [sī-'a-nə-jən] -n
- a monovalent group CN present in cyanides
- a colorless flammable poisonous gas (CN) 2
cy·a·no·ge·net·ic [,sī-ə-nō-jə-'ne-tik, sī-,a-nō-] -adj, n
- capable of producing cyanide (as hydrogen cyanide)
cy·a·no·hy·drin [-'hī-drən] -n
- any of various compounds containing both cyano and hydroxyl groups
cy·a·no·sis [,sī-ə-'nō-səs] -n, adj
- a bluish or purplish discoloration (as of skin) due to deficient oxygenation of the blood
cy·an·uric acid [,sī-ə-'nu̇r-ik-, -'nyu̇r-] -n
- a crystalline weak acid C 3N 3(OH) 3that yields cyanic acid when heated
Cyb·e·le ['si-bə-(,)lē] -n
- a nature goddess of the ancient peoples of Asia Minor
cy·ber ['sī-bər] -adj
- of, relating to, or involving computers or computer networks (as the Internet)
cyber- -comb form
- computer : computer network
cy·ber·ca·fe ['sī-bər-ka-'fā] -n
- a cafe or coffee shop providing computers for access to the Internet
cy·ber·cit·i·zen [-'si-tə-zən] -n
- netizen
cy·ber·na·tion [,sī-bər-'nā-shən] -n, adj
- the automatic control of a process or operation (as in manufacturing) by means of computers
cy·ber·naut ['sī-bər-,nȯt, -nät] -n
- netizen
cy·ber·ne·ti·cian [,sī-(,)bər-nə-'ti-shən] -n
- a specialist in cybernetics
cy·ber·net·i·cist [,sī-bər-'ne-tə-sist] -n
- cybernetician
cy·ber·net·ics [,sī-bər-'ne-tiks] -n pl but sing in constr, adj, adv
- the science of communication and control theory that is concerned esp. with the comparative study of automatic control systems (as the nervous system and brain and mechanical-electrical communication systems)
cy·ber·porn ['sī-bər-,pȯrn] -n
- pornography accessible online esp. via the Internet
cy·ber·punk ['sī-bər-,pəŋk] -n
- science fiction dealing with future urban societies dominated by computer technology
- an opportunistic computer hacker
cy·ber·se·cu·ri·ty [-si-,kyu̇r-ə-tē] -n
- measures taken to protect a computer or computer system (as on the Internet) against unauthorized access or attack
cy·ber·sex [-,seks] -n
- online sex-oriented conversations and exchanges
- sex-oriented material available on a computer
cy·ber·space [-,spās] -n
- the online world of computer networks and esp. the Internet
cy·ber·speak [-,spēk] -n
- jargon relating to or used in online communications
cy·ber·surf·er [-,sər-fər] -n
- one who surfs the Internet
cy·ber·ter·ror·ism [-,ter-ər-,i-zəm] -n
- terrorist activities intended to damage or disrupt vital computer systems
cy·borg ['sī-,bȯrg] -n
- a bionic human
cy·brar·ian [sī-'brer-ē-ən, -'bre-rē-] -n
- a person whose job is to find, collect, and manage information that is available on the World Wide Web
cy·cad ['sī-kəd] -n
- any of an order (Cycadales) of dioecious cycadophytes that flourished esp. during the Jurassic and are represented by four surviving families of palmlike tropical plants
cy·cad·e·oid [sī-'ka-dē-,ȯid] -n
- any of a division (Cycadeoidophyta syn. Bennettitophyta) of extinct Jurassic to Cretaceous gymnosperms that differ from the cycadophytes chiefly in having the reproductive organs on the trunk embedded in a thick covering of bracts and scales
cy·cad·o·phyte [sī-'ka-də-,fīt] -n
- any of a division (Cycadophyta) of usu. unbranched mostly extinct gymnosperms with pinnate leaves, large pith, little xylem, and a thick cortex that includes the cycads, cycadeoids, and seed ferns
cy·ca·sin ['sī-kə-sən] -n
- a glucoside C 8H 16N 2O 7that occurs in cycads and results in toxic and carcinogenic effects when introduced into mammals
cycl- -comb form
- circle
- cyclic
cy·cla·mate ['sī-klə-,māt, -mət] -n
- an artificially prepared salt of sodium or calcium used esp. formerly as a sweetener
cy·cla·men ['sī-klə-mən, 'si-] -n
- any of a genus ( Cyclamen) of Old World plants of the primrose family having showy nodding flowers
cy·clase ['sī-,klās, -,klāz] -n
- an enzyme (as adenylate cyclase) that catalyzes cyclization of a compound
cy·claz·o·cine [sī-'kla-zə-,sēn, -sən] -n
- an analgesic drug C 18H 25NO that inhibits the effect of morphine and related addictive drugs and is used in the treatment of drug addiction
cy·cle ['sī-kəl] -n
- an interval of time during which a sequence of a recurring succession of events or phenomena is completed
- a 4-year cycle of growth and development
- a course or series of events or operations that recur regularly and usu. lead back to the starting point
- one complete performance of a vibration, electric oscillation, current alternation, or other periodic process
- a permutation of a set of ordered elements in which each element takes the place of the next and the last becomes first
- a takeoff and landing of an airplane
- : a circular or spiral arrangement: as
- an imaginary circle or orbit in the heavens
- ring
- a long period of time : age
- a group of creative works (as poems, plays, or songs) treating the same theme
- a series of narratives dealing typically with the exploits of a legendary hero
- bicycle
- tricycle
- motorcycle
- the series of a single, double, triple, and home run hit in any order by one player during one baseball game
cycle ['sī-k(ə-)liŋ] -vb, n
- to pass through a cycle
- to recur in cycles
- to ride a cycle
- bicycle
- to cause to go through a cycle
cy·cle·way [-,wā] -n
- bikeway
cy·clic ['sī-klik also 'si-] -adj, adv
- of, relating to, or being a cycle
- moving in cycles
- of, relating to, or being a chemical compound containing a ring of atoms
- being a mathematical group that has an element such that every element of the group can be expressed as one of its powers
cyclic AMP -n
- a cyclic mononucleotide of adenosine that is formed from ATP and is responsible for the intracellular mediation of hormonal effects on various cellular processes called also adenosine 3,5-monophosphate
cyclic GMP [-,jē-(,)em-'pē] -n
- a cyclic mononucleotide of guanosine that acts similarly to cyclic AMP as a secondary messenger in response to hormones
cy·clic·i·ty [sī-'kli-sə-tē, si-] -n
- the quality or state of being cyclic called also cy*cli*cal*i*ty si-kl-ka-l-te, si-
cy·clin ['sī-klən, 'si-] -n
- any of a group of proteins active in controlling the cell cycle and in initiating DNA synthesis
cy·clist ['sī-k(ə-)ləst] -n
- one who rides a cycle
cy·cli·tol ['sī-klə-,tȯl, 'si-, -,tōl] -n
- an alicyclic polyhydroxy compound (as inositol)
cy·cli·za·tion [,sī-k(ə-)lə-'zā-shən, ,si-] -n, vb
- formation of a ring in a chemical compound
cy·clo ['sē-(,)klō, 'si-] -n
- a 3-wheeled often motor-driven taxi
cy·clo·ad·di·tion [,sī-(,)klō-ə-'di-shən] -n
- a chemical reaction leading to ring formation in a compound
cy·clo·al·i·phat·ic [,sī-klō-,a-lə-'fa-tik] -adj
- alicyclic
cy·clocross ['sī-klə-,krȯs, -klō-] -n
- the sport of racing bicycles over rough terrain that usu. requires carrying the bicycle over obstacles
cy·clo·dex·trin [-'dek-strən] -n
- any of a class of complex cyclic sugars that are products of the enzymatic decomposition of starch and that can catalyze reactions between simpler molecules which come together within the cylindrical body of the sugar
cy·clo·di·ene [-'dī-,ēn, -dī-'] -n
- an organic insecticide (as dieldrin or chlordane) with a chlorinated methylene group forming a bridge across a 6-membered carbon ring
cy·clo·gen·e·sis [-'je-nə-səs] -n
- the development or intensification of a cyclone
cy·clo·hex·ane [,sī-klō-'hek-,sān] -n
- a pungent saturated cyclic hydrocarbon C 6H 12found in petroleum or made synthetically and used chiefly as a solvent and in organic synthesis
cy·clo·hex·a·none [-'hek-sə-,nōn] -n
- a liquid ketone C 6H 10O used esp. as a solvent and in organic synthesis
cy·clo·hex·i·mide [-'hek-sə-,mīd, -məd] -n
- an agricultural fungicide C 15H 23NO 4that inhibits protein synthesis and is obtained from a soil bacterium ( Streptomyces griseus)
cy·clo·hex·yl·amine [-hek-'si-lə-,mēn] -n
- a colorless liquid amine C 6H 11NH 2that is used in organic synthesis and to prevent corrosion in boilers and that is believed to be harmful as a metabolic breakdown product of cyclamate
cy·cloid ['sī-,klȯid] -n, adj
- a curve that is generated by a point on the circumference of a circle as it rolls along a straight line
cycloid -adj
- smooth with concentric lines of growth
- having or consisting of cycloid scales
- characterized by alternating high and low moods
cy·clom·e·ter [sī-'klä-mə-tər] -n
- a device made for recording the revolutions of a wheel and often used for registering distance traversed by a wheeled vehicle
cy·clone ['sī-,klōn] -n, adj, adv
- a storm or system of winds that rotates about a center of low atmospheric pressure, advances at a speed of 20 to 30 miles (about 30 to 50 kilometers) an hour, and often brings heavy rain
- tornado
- low
- any of various centrifugal devices for separating materials (as solid particles from gases)
Cy·clone ['sī-,klōn] -trademark
- used for a chain-link fence
cyclone cellar -n
- storm cellar
cy·clo·ole·fin [,sī-klō-'ō-lə-fən] -n, adj
- a hydrocarbon containing a ring having one or more double bonds
cy·clo·ox·y·gen·ase [-'äk-si-jə-,nās] -n
- an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and that has two isoforms of which one is involved in the creation of prostaglandins which mediate inflammation and pain
cy·clo·par·af·fin [-'per-ə-fən, -'pa-rə-] -n
- a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon of the formula C n H 2 n
cy·clo·pe·an [,sī-klə-'pē-ən, sī-'klō-pē-] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of a Cyclops
- huge, massive
- of or relating to a style of stone construction marked typically by the use of large irregular blocks without mortar
cy·clo·pe·dia [,sī-klə-'pē-dē-ə] -n, adj
- encyclopedia
cy·clo·phos·pha·mide [,sī-klō-'fäs-fə-,mīd] -n
- an immunosuppressive and antineoplastic agent C 7H 15Cl 2N 2O 2P used esp. in the treatment of lymphomas and some leukemias
cy·clo·pro·pane [,sī-klə-'prō-,pān] -n
- a flammable gaseous saturated cyclic hydrocarbon C 3H 6sometimes used as a general anesthetic
cy·clops ['sī-,kläps] -n
- any of a race of giants in Greek mythology with a single eye in the middle of the forehead
- any of a genus ( Cyclops) of freshwater predatory copepods having a single median eye
cy·clo·ra·ma [,sī-klə-'ra-mə, -'rä-] -n, adj
- a large pictorial representation encircling the spectator and often having real objects as a foreground
- a curved curtain or wall used as a background of a stage set to suggest unlimited space
cy·clo·ser·ine [,sī-klō-'ser-,ēn] -n
- a broad-spectrum antibiotic C 3H 6N 2O 2produced by an actinomycete ( Streptomyces orchidaceus) and used esp. in the treatment of tuberculosis
cy·clo·sis [sī-'klō-səs] -n
- the streaming of protoplasm within a cell
cy·clo·spo·ra [,sī-klō-'spȯr-ə] -n
- any of a genus ( Cyclosporaof the order Coccidia) of sporozoans including one ( C. cayetanensis) causing diarrhea in humans
cy·clo·spor·ine [,sī-klə-'spȯr-ᵊn, -,ēn] -n
- an immunosuppressive polypeptide drug C 62H 111N 11O 12obtained from various imperfect fungi and used esp. to prevent rejection of organ transplants
cy·clo·stome ['sī-klə-,stōm] -n
- any of a class (Cyclostomata) of jawless fishes having a large sucking mouth and comprising the hagfishes and lampreys
cy·clo·style [-,stī(-ə)l] -n, vt
- a machine for making multiple copies that utilizes a stencil cut by a graver whose tip is a small rowel
cy·clo·thy·mic [,sī-klə-'thī-mik] -adj, n
- relating to or being a mood disorder characterized by alternating episodes of depression and elation in a form less severe than that of bipolar disorder
cy·clo·tom·ic [-'tä-mik] -adj
- relating to, being, or containing a polynomial of the form x p 1 x p 2... x 1 where pis a prime number
cy·clo·tron ['sī-klə-,trän] -n
- an accelerator in which charged particles (as protons, deuterons, or ions) are propelled by an alternating electric field in a constant magnetic field
cy·der ['sī-dər] -n
(variant of cider)
- fermented apple juice often made sparkling by carbonation or fermentation in a sealed container
- the expressed juice of fruit (as apples) used as a beverage or for making other products (as applejack)
cyg·net ['sig-nət] -n
- a young swan
Cyg·nus ['sig-nəs] -n
- a northern constellation between Lyra and Pegasus in the Milky Way
cyl -abbr
- cylinder
cyl·in·der ['si-lən-dər] -n, adj
- the surface traced by a straight line moving parallel to a fixed straight line and intersecting a fixed planar closed curve
- a solid or surface bounded by a cylinder and two parallel planes cutting all its elements
- right circular cylinder
- : a cylindrical body or space: as
- the turning chambered breech of a revolver
- the piston chamber in an engine
- a chamber in a pump from which the piston expels the fluid
- any of various rotating members in a press (as a printing press)
- one that impresses paper on an inked form
- a cylindrical clay object inscribed with cuneiform inscriptions
cylinder head -n
- the closed end of an engine or pump cylinder
cylinder seal -n
- a cylinder (as of stone) engraved in intaglio and used esp. in ancient Mesopotamia to roll an impression on wet clay
cy·lin·dri·cal [sə-'lin-dri-kəl] -adj, adv
- relating to or having the form or properties of a cylinder
cylindrical coordinate -n
- any of the coordinates in space obtained by constructing in a plane a polar coordinate system and on a line perpendicular to the plane a linear coordinate system
cy·ma ['sī-mə] -n
- a projecting molding whose profile is an S-shaped curve
- an S-shaped curve formed by the union of a concave line and a convex line
cy·ma·tium [sī-'mā-sh(ē-)əm] -n
- a crowning molding in classic architecture
- cyma
cym·bal ['sim-bəl] -n
- a concave brass plate that produces a brilliant clashing tone and that is struck with a drumstick or is used in pairs struck glancingly together
cym·bid·i·um [sim-'bi-dē-əm] -n
- any of a genus ( Cymbidium) of tropical Old World epiphytic orchids with showy flowers
cyme ['sīm] -n
- an inflorescence in which each floral axis terminates in a single flower
- a determinate inflorescence of this type containing several flowers with the first-opening central flower terminating the main axis and subsequent flowers developing from lateral buds
cym·ling ['sim-lən, -liŋ] -n
- pattypan
cy·mo·phane ['sī-mə-,fān] -n
- chrysoberyl
- an opalescent chrysoberyl
cy·mose ['sī-,mōs] -adj
- of, relating to, being, or bearing a cyme
Cym·ric ['kəm-rik, 'kim-] -adj
- of, relating to, or characteristic of the non-Gaelic Celtic people of Britain or their language
- welsh
Cymric -n
- brythonic
- the Welsh language
Cym·ry [-rē] -n
- welsh
cyn·ic ['si-nik] -n, adj
- an adherent of an ancient Greek school of philosophers who held the view that virtue is the only good and that its essence lies in self-control and independence
- a faultfinding captious critic
- one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest
cyn·i·cal ['si-ni-kəl] -adj, adv
- captious, peevish
- : having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: as
- contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives
- those cynical men who say that democracy cannot be honest and efficient -- F. D. Roosevelt
- based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest
- a cynical ploy to cheat customers
cyn·i·cism ['si-nə-,si-zəm] -n
- the doctrine of the Cynics
- cynical character, attitude, or quality
- an expression of such quality
cy·no·mol·gus monkey [,sī-nə-'mäl-gəs-] -n
- a macaque ( Macaca fascicularis) of southeastern Asia, Borneo, and the Philippines that sometimes feeds on marine crustaceans and shellfish and is often used in medical research
cy·no·sure ['sī-nə-,shu̇r, 'si-] -n
- the northern constellation Ursa Minor
- north star
- one that serves to direct or guide
- a center of attraction or attention
- turned an eyesore into a cynosure -- Catherine Reynolds
Cyn·thia ['sin(t)-thē-ə] -n
- artemis
- the moon personified as a goddess
CYO -abbr
- Catholic Youth Organization
cy·pher ['sī-fər] -n
(variant of cipher)
- zero
- one that has no weight, worth, or influence : nonentity
- a method of transforming a text in order to conceal its meaning
- a message in code
- arabic numeral
- a combination of symbolic letters
- the interwoven initials of a name
cy pres [,sī-'prā, ,sē-] -n
- a rule providing for the interpretation of instruments in equity as nearly as possible in conformity to the intention of the testator when literal construction is illegal, impracticable, or impossible called also cy pres doctrine
- in accordance with the rule of cy pres
cy·press ['sī-prəs] -n
- any of a genus ( Cupressusof the family Cupressaceae, the cypress family) of evergreen trees and shrubs with small overlapping leaves resembling scales
- any of several coniferous trees of the cypress family or the bald cypress family
- bald cypress
- the wood of a cypress tree
- branches of cypress used as a symbol of mourning
cypress -n
- a silk or cotton usu. black gauze formerly used for mourning
cypress vine -n
- a tropical American annual vine ( Ipomoea quamoclitsyn. Quamoclit pennata) of the morning-glory family with usu. red or white tubular flowers and finely dissected leaves
cyp·ri·an ['si-prē-ən] -n
- prostitute
cyp·ri·nid ['si-prə-nəd] -n, adj
- any of a family (Cyprinidae) of soft-finned freshwater fishes including the carps and minnows
cyp·ri·pe·di·um [,si-prə-'pē-dē-əm] -n
- any of a genus ( Cypripedium) of Eurasian and No. American terrestrial orchids having large usu. showy drooping flowers with the lip inflated or pouched
- any of a genus ( Paphiopedalum) of widely cultivated Asian orchids
cy·pro·hep·ta·dine [,sī-prō-'hep-tə-,dēn] -n
- a histamine and serotonin antagonist C 21H 21N used esp. in the form of its hydrochloride to treat allergy symptoms and hives
cy·prot·er·one [sī-'prä-tə-,rōn] -n
- a synthetic steroid C 22H 27ClO 3that inhibits androgenic secretions (as of testosterone)
Cy·re·na·ic [,sir-ə-'nā-ik, ,sī-rə-] -n, adj
- an adherent of the doctrine that pleasure is the chief end of life
Cy·ril·lic [sə-'ri-lik] -adj
- of, relating to, or constituting an alphabet used for writing Old Church Slavic and for Russian and a number of other languages of eastern Europe and Asia
cyst ['sist] -n
- a closed sac having a distinct membrane and developing abnormally in a cavity or structure of the body
- : a body resembling a cyst: as
- a resting spore of many algae
- a gas-filled vesicle (as of a rockweed or bladderwort)
- a capsule formed about a minute organism going into a resting or spore stage
- this capsule with its contents
- a resistant cover about a parasite produced by the parasite or the host
cyst- -comb form
- bladder: sac
cys·te·amine [sis-'tē-ə-mən] -n
- a cysteine derivative C 2H 7NS used esp. to treat cystinuria
cys·te·ine ['sis-tə-,ēn] -n
- a crystalline sulfur-containing amino acid C 3H 7NO 2S readily oxidizable to cystine
cys·tic ['sis-tik] -adj
- of or relating to the urinary bladder or the gallbladder
- relating to, composed of, or containing cysts
- enclosed in a cyst
cys·ti·cer·coid [,sis-tə-'sər-,kȯid] -n
- a tapeworm larva having an invaginated scolex and solid tailpiece
cys·ti·cer·co·sis [,sis-tə-(,)sər-'kō-səs] -n
- infestation with or disease caused by cysticerci
cys·ti·cer·cus [-'sər-kəs] -n
- a tapeworm larva that consists of a fluid-filled sac containing an invaginated scolex and is situated in the tissues of an intermediate host
cystic fibrosis -n
- a hereditary disease esp. among whites that appears usu. in early childhood, is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, involves functional disorder of the exocrine glands, and is marked esp. by faulty digestion due to a deficiency of pancreatic enzymes, by difficulty in breathing due to mucus accumulation in airways, and by excessive loss of salt in the sweat
cys·tine ['sis-,tēn] -n
- a crystalline amino acid C 6H 12N 2O 4S 2that is widespread in proteins (as keratins) and is a major metabolic sulfur source
cys·tin·uria [,sis-tə-'nu̇r-ē-ə, -'nyu̇r-] -n
- a metabolic defect characterized by excretion of excessive amounts of cystine in the urine and inherited as an autosomal recessive trait
cys·ti·tis [sis-'tī-təs] -n
- inflammation of the urinary bladder
cys·to·lith ['sis-tə-,lith] -n
- a calcium carbonate concretion arising from the cellulose wall of cells of higher plants
cys·to·scope ['sis-tə-,skōp] -n, adj
- a rigid endoscope for inspecting and passing instruments into the urethra and bladder
cyt- -comb form
- cell
- cytoplasm
Cyth·er·ea [,si-thə-'rē-ə] -n
- aphrodite
Cyth·er·e·an [-'rē-ən] -adj
- of or relating to the planet Venus
cy·ti·dine ['si-tə-,dēn, 'sī-] -n
- a nucleoside containing cytosine
cy·to·cha·la·sin [,sī-tō-kə-'lā-sən] -n
- any of a group of metabolites isolated from fungi (esp. Helminthosporium dematioideum) that inhibit various cell processes
cy·to·chem·is·try [-'ke-mə-strē] -n, adj
- microscopic biochemistry
- the chemistry of cells
cy·to·chrome ['sī-tə-,krōm] -n
- any of several intracellular hemoprotein respiratory pigments that are enzymes functioning in electron transport as carriers of electrons
cytochrome c -n
- the most abundant and stable of the cytochromes
cytochrome oxidase -n
- an iron-porphyrin enzyme important in cell respiration due to its ability to catalyze the oxidation of reduced cytochrome c in the presence of oxygen
cy·to·dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion ['sī-tō-,di-fə-,ren(t)-shē-'ā-shən] -n
- the development of specialized cells (as muscle, blood, or nerve cells) from undifferentiated precursors
cy·to·ge·net·ics [,sī-tō-jə-'ne-tiks] -n pl but sing or pl in constr, adj, adv, n
- a branch of biology that deals with the study of heredity and variation by the methods of both cytology and genetics
cy·to·kine ['sī-tə-,kīn] -n
- any of a class of immunoregulatory proteins (as interleukin or interferon) that are secreted by cells esp. of the immune system
cy·to·ki·ne·sis [,sī-tō-kə-'nē-səs, -kī-] -n, adj
- the cytoplasmic changes accompanying mitosis
- cleavage of the cytoplasm into daughter cells following nuclear division
cy·to·ki·nin [,sī-tə-'kī-nən] -n
- any of various plant growth substances (as kinetin) that are usu. derivatives of adenine
cytol -abbr
- cytological; cytology
cy·tol·o·gy [sī-'tä-lə-jē] -n, adj, adv
- a branch of biology dealing with the structure, function, multiplication, pathology, and life history of cells
- the cytological aspects of a process or structure
cy·to·ly·sin [,sī-tə-'lī-sᵊn] -n
- a substance (as an antibody that lyses bacteria) producing cytolysis
cy·tol·y·sis [sī-'tä-lə-səs] -n, adj
- the usu. pathologic dissolution or disintegration of cells
cy·to·me·gal·ic [,sī-tō-mi-'ga-lik] -adj
- characterized by or causing the formation of enlarged cells
cy·to·meg·a·lo·vi·rus [,sī-tə-,me-gə-lō-'vī-rəs] -n
- a herpesvirus (species Human herpesvirus 5of the genus Cytomegalovirus) that causes cellular enlargement and formation of eosinophilic inclusion bodies esp. in the nucleus and acts as an opportunistic infectious agent in immunosuppressed conditions (as AIDS)
cy·to·mem·brane [,sī-tō-'mem-,brān] -n
- one of the cellular membranes including those of the plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear envelope, and Golgi apparatus
- unit membrane
cy·to·path·ic [,sī-tə-'pa-thik] -adj
- of, relating to, characterized by, or producing pathological changes in cells
cy·to·path·o·gen·ic [-,pa-thə-'je-nik] -adj, n
- pathologic for or destructive to cells
cy·to·pa·thol·o·gy [-pə-'thä-lə-jē, -pa-] -n
- a branch of pathology that deals with manifestations of disease at the cellular level
cy·to·phil·ic [,sī-tə-'fi-lik] -adj
- having an affinity for cells
cy·to·pho·tom·e·try [-fō-'tä-mə-trē] -n, adj
- photometry applied to the study of the cell or its constituents
cy·to·plasm ['sī-tə-,pla-zəm] -n, adj, adv
- the organized complex of inorganic and organic substances external to the nuclear membrane of a cell and including the cytosol and membrane-bound organelles (as mitochondria or chloroplasts)
cy·to·sine ['sī-tə-,sēn] -n
- a pyrimidine base C 4H 5N 3O that codes genetic information in the polynucleotide chain of DNA or RNA
cy·to·skel·e·ton [,sī-tə-'ske-lə-tən] -n, adj
- the network of protein filaments and microtubules in the cytoplasm that controls cell shape, maintains intracellular organization, and is involved in cell movement
cy·to·sol ['sī-tə-,säl, -,sȯl] -n, adj
- the fluid portion of the cytoplasm exclusive of organelles and membranes called also ground substance
cy·to·stat·ic [,sī-tə-'sta-tik] -adj, n
- tending to retard cellular activity and multiplication
- cytostatic treatment of tumor cells
cy·to·tax·on·o·my [,sī-tō-(,)tak-'sä-nə-mē] -n, adj, adv
- study of the relationships and classification of organisms using both classical systematic techniques and comparative studies of chromosomes
- the nuclear cytologic makeup of a kind of organism
cy·to·tech·nol·o·gist [,sī-tə-tek-'nä-lə-jist] -n
- a medical technician trained in the identification of cells and cellular abnormalities (as in cancer)
cy·to·tox·ic [,sī-tə-'täk-sik] -adj, n
- of or relating to a cytotoxin
- toxic to cells
cytotoxic T cell -n
- killer t cell
cy·to·tox·in [-'täk-sən] -n
- a substance (as a toxin or antibody) having a toxic effect on cells