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acellular

American  
[ey-sel-yuh-ler] / eɪˈsɛl yə lər /

adjective

  1. being without cells.

  2. composed of tissue not divided into separate cells, as striated muscle fibers.


acellular British  
/ eɪˈsɛljʊlə /

adjective

  1. biology not made up of or containing cells

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

acellular Scientific  
/ ā-sĕlyə-lər /
  1. Devoid of cells. The hyphae of some fungi are acellular.


Etymology

Origin of acellular

First recorded in 1935–40; a- 6 + cellular

Vocabulary lists containing acellular

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Because the exoskeleton is acellular, arthropods must periodically shed their exoskeletons because the exoskeleton does not grow as the organism grows.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The team concluded that protection waned 27% per year after children's fifth dose of the acellular vaccine, which is given between ages 4 and 6.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 18, 2019

That is far lower than the 87 percent vaccination rates for the Tdap vaccine, which prevents tetanus, diptheria and acellular pertussis.

From Salon • Feb. 6, 2017

So the uptick strongly suggested that the acellular vaccine’s effects were wearing off year-by-year as the kids got older—long before anyone had anticipated.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2012

By contrast, the so-called acellular slime molds do not form slugs.

From New York Times • Oct. 3, 2011

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