acellular

[ ey-sel-yuh-ler ]

adjective

1. being without cells.
2. composed of tissue not divided into separate cells, as striated muscle fibers.

acellular

/ eɪˈsɛljʊlə /

adjective

1. biology not made up of or containing cells

acellular

/ ā-sĕl′yə-lər /

1. Devoid of cells. The hyphae of some fungi are acellular.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acellular¹

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

Example Sentences

Nationally, vaccination coverage fell slightly below 94 percent for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine; the diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis vaccine; and for the varicella vaccine, the C.D.C. said.

From New York Times

Minnesota health officials reminded expecting mothers to receive the tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis, or Tdap, vaccine during their third trimester.

From Fox News

Similarly, acellular slime molds—strange, gelatinous organisms that consist of a single cell with billions of nuclei—lack a brain yet sometimes act like far more sophisticated creatures.

From Scientific American

Slifka says the replacement of the whole cellular vaccine with the acellular one was unnecessary and a mistake.

From Science Magazine

So officials switched to the current acellular vaccine, which has fewer side effects but does not provide immunity for as long.

From Los Angeles Times