T cell

T cell

noun

Definition of T CELL

: any of several lymphocytes (as a helper T cell) that differentiate in the thymus, possess highly specific cell-surface antigen receptors, and include some that control the initiation or suppression of cell-mediated and humoral immunity (as by the regulation of T and B cell maturation and proliferation) and others that lyse antigen-bearing cells —called also T lymphocyte — compare b cell

Origin of T CELL

thymus-derived cell

First Known Use: 1970