designating or of a kind of liquid crystal in which the molecules form layers, with the molecules ordered or disordered within each layer
Origin of smectic; from Classical Latin smecticus, cleansing ; from Classical Greek smēktikos ; from smēktos, smeared (; from smēchein, to wipe off: for Indo-European base see smite) + -ikos, -ic
Of or relating to the mesomorphic phase of a liquid crystal in which molecules are closely aligned in a distinct series of layers, with the axes of the molecules lying perpendicular to the plane of the layers.
Origin of smecticFrom Greek smēktos, smeared, from smēkhein, to wash off.
- (chemistry, physics) Describing a class of liquid crystals whose molecules are aligned in layers, with the molecules lying perpendicular to the plane of the layers
- Such a liquid crystal