cytotoxin

[ sahy-tuh-tok-sin ]

noun

, Immunology, Pharmacology.

1. a substance that has a toxic effect on certain cells.

cytotoxin

/ ˌsaɪtəʊˈtɒksɪn /

noun

1. any substance that is poisonous to living cells

Other Words From

• cyto·toxic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cytotoxin¹

First recorded in 1900–05; cyto- + toxin

Example Sentences

It had a prize for creating a single-dose sterilant for cats and dogs, and I wondered about using a cytotoxin to attack cells important for reproduction.

From Nature