cholesteric
/kəˈlɛst(ə)rɪk/ /kɒˈlɛst(ə)rɪk/adjective
1 Chemistry. Of, relating to, or derived from cholesterin (cholesterol); containing cholesterol or a cholesteryl radical. Now rare.
- cholesteric acid noun any of various acidic substances produced by the oxidation of cholesterol..
2 Physics. Designating nematic liquid crystals (also called chiral nematic) composed of chiral molecules arranged in layers, their axes being parallel to the plane of the layers and the general orientation in each layer being at an angle to that in adjacent layers, producing a helical organization; relating to or characterized by this structure.
noun
Physics. A cholesteric liquid crystal. Usually in plural.
Origin
Early 19th century. From cholester- + -ic, after French cholestérique.