/smek"tik/ , adj. Physical Chem. (of liquid crystals)
noting a mesomorphic state in which the arrangement of the molecules is in layers or planes. Cf. nematic .
[ 1665-75 for earlier sense "cleansing"; smecticus smektikós, equiv. to smekt ( ós ) smeared, verbid of sméchein to wash out, clean + -tikos -TIC ]