What does elicitor mean?
An elicitor is an agent or substance that calls forth or triggers a response, most commonly used in scientific contexts to describe molecules that provoke defensive reactions in living organisms. In plant biology, for example, a fungal or bacterial elicitor prompts the plant to mount chemical defenses against attack; in immunology, similar agents stimulate immune responses. Beyond these technical uses, the word can describe anything that draws out a reaction—a question, a remark, or an event—but this broader usage remains relatively rare and carries an academic register. Derived from the Latin verb elicere, meaning to draw out or entice, 'elicitor' shares its root with the common verb 'elicit' and with words like 'licit' and 'illicit', all tracing back to the Latin licere, to be permitted or lawful. The word is valuable precisely because it names a role rather than a thing: whatever performs the act of eliciting—an enzyme, a signal molecule, a probing inquiry—can be called an elicitor.
nounA thing that elicits or draws out a response, especially a substance that triggers a defensive reaction in plants. In plant biology and immunology, an elicitor is an agent—often a molecule from a pathogen—that induces a protective response in the host.
- An agent or substance that provokes a response, especially in plant pathology where it triggers defense mechanisms.
- More broadly, anything that draws out or calls forth a reaction or reply.
"The fungal elicitor prompted the plant to produce defensive chemicals within hours of exposure."
"Researchers isolated an elicitor from the bacterial cell wall that stimulates phytoalexin production."
"Her question served as an elicitor, drawing out confessions the students had kept hidden."
Standard plural formation by adding -s.
"Different pathogens produce different elicitors, each recognized by distinct plant receptors."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of elicitor
Elicitor derives from the Latin verb elicere, formed from ex- ('out') plus lacere ('to entice' or 'to lure'), meaning to draw out or bring forth. English adopted the verb 'elicit' around the early seventeenth century, and the agent noun 'elicitor' followed as a natural derivative, though it remained rare until modern scientific usage gave it technical currency. It shares its ultimate Latin roots with cognates such as 'licit' and 'illicit', which stem from licere, 'to be allowed'.
Related word forms
How elicitor is actually used
Primarily a technical term used in botany, plant physiology, immunology, and related sciences. Rarely encountered in everyday conversation; when used more generally it retains a somewhat academic tone. The word takes '-or' spelling in both British and American English.
Easily confused with elicitor
'Illicitor' is not a standard English word; 'elicitor' (from Latin elicere, to draw out) refers to something that draws out a response, while the similar-looking 'illicit' means unlawful.