ˌsīd.əˈtäksik- noun
or cytotoxic t lymphocyte
Usage: usually capitalized T
: a T cell that usually bears CD8 molecular markers on its surface and that functions in cell-mediated immunity by destroying a cell (as a virus infected cell) having a specific antigenic molecule on its surface — called also cytolytic T cell killer T cell — compare helper t cell herein suppressor t cell herein