natural killer cell

noun

Definition of natural killer cell

: a large granular lymphocyte capable especially of destroying tumor cells or virally-infected cells without prior exposure to the target cell and without having it presented with or marked by a histocompatibility antigen — called also NK cell

First Known Use of natural killer cell

1975

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Medical Dictionary

natural killer cell

noun

medical Definition of natural killer cell

: a large granular lymphocyte capable especially of destroying tumor cells or virally infected cells without prior exposure to the target cell and without having it presented with or marked by a histocompatibility antigen — called also NK cell