mother cell

noun

: a cell that gives rise to other cells usually of a different sort

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The sticky cells in each of these snowflakes were genetically identical to each other---each cell had budded off from a mother cell, but had stuck around rather than setting off on its own. —Veronique Greenwood, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2011

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mother cell

noun

: a cell that gives rise to other cells usually of a different sort

a sperm mother cell