/pap/
1. a test for cancer of the cervix, consisting of the staining of cervical cells taken in a cervical or vaginal smear (Pap smear or pap smear) for examination of exfoliated cells.
2. a vaginal Pap smear used to evaluate estrogen levels.
3. an examination of exfoliated cells in any body fluid, as sputum or urine, for cancer cells.
Also, pap test . Also called Papanicolaou test .
[ 1960-65; named after George Papanicolaou (1883-1962), U.S. cytologist, born in Greece, who developed the staining method ]