effector cell

noun

plural effector cells
: a lymphocyte (such as a T cell) that has been induced to differentiate into a form (such as a cytotoxic T cell) capable of mounting a specific immune response
Natural killer cells are effector cells with spontaneous cytotoxicity for a variety of target cells including tumor cells.Arthur Weiss et al.
effector cells that kill invading pathogens or stimulate B cells to make antibody against foreign antigens …Charles R. Mackay et al.

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of effector cell was in 1962

Dictionary Entries Near effector cell

effector

effector cell

effectual

Cite this Entry

“Effector cell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/effector%20cell. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

effector cell

noun
: a lymphocyte (as a T cell) that has been induced to differentiate into a form (as a cytotoxic T cell) capable of mounting a specific immune response

called also effector lymphocyte

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!