ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cyst

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈsɪst// UK //sˈɪst// cyst

n. a small, closed bag or lump under the skin or inside the body that is filled with fluid or air. Most are not dangerous, but a doctor might need to check them.

n. an abnormal, sac-like pocket of membranous tissue containing fluid, air, sebum, or other materials. Can occur anywhere in the body and is typically distinct from an abscess as it is not necessarily infected.


SIMPLE

The doctor removed a small cyst from my wrist.

CONTEXTUAL

While most skin cysts are benign and painless, they can become inflamed or infected if they are squeezed or irritated.

COMPLEX

The ultrasound revealed a fluid-filled ovarian cyst, which the specialist monitored over several months to ensure it would resolve naturally without surgical intervention.

Synonyms
Origin

From Late Latin cystis, from Ancient Greek κύστις (kústis, “anatomical sac”).

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