coactivator

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noun

Any protein that binds to an activator as part of gene transcription

OriginEnglish activator ← Middle English actyf ← Old French actif →
UncommonScrabble 18
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Meanings

nouncoactivator (plural coactivators)

plural coactivators

  1. biologyAny protein that binds to an activator as part of gene transcription

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*ḱe?
  2. Proto-Indo-European*ḱóm
  3. Proto-Italic*kom
  4. Proto-Italic*kom-
  5. Latincon-
  6. Latinco-
  7. Englishco-
  8. Proto-Indo-European*h₂eǵ-
  9. Proto-Indo-European*h₂éǵeti
  10. Proto-Italic*agō
  11. Latinagō
  12. Ancient Greekἐνεργητικός (energētikós)
  13. Latināctīvu
  14. Old Frenchactif
  15. Middle Englishactyf
  16. Englishactive
  17. Englishactivate
  18. Englishactivator
  19. Englishcoactivator

From co- + activator.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

coactivator. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coactivator

MLA

“coactivator.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coactivator. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “coactivator,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/coactivator.

Source: coactivator on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.