Pap test

or pap test

[ pap ]
/ pæp /

noun

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.
a vaginal Pap smear used to evaluate estrogen levels.
an examination of exfoliated cells in any body fluid, as sputum or urine, for cancer cells.
Also called Papanicolaou test.

Origin of Pap test

1960–65; named after George Papanicolaou (1883–1962), U.S. cytologist, born in Greece, who developed the staining method

British Dictionary definitions for pap test

Pap test

Pap smear

/ (pæp) /

noun med

another name for cervical smear
a similar test for precancerous cells in other organs
US equivalent: Papanicolaou smear

Word Origin for Pap test

C20: named after George Papanicolaou (1883–1962), US anatomist, who devised it

Medical definitions for pap test

Pap test

n.

Pap smear