[loo-kuh-sit] 
| any of various nearly colorless cells of the immune system that circulate mainly in the blood and lymph and participate in reactions to invading microorganisms or foreign particles, comprising the B cells, T cells, macrophages, monocytes, and granulocytes. |
| leu·ko·cyte also leu·co·cyte (lōō'kə-sīt') n. See white blood cell. leu'ko·cyt'ic (-sĭt'ĭk) adj., leu'ko·cy'toid' adj. |
| white blood cell n. Abbr. WBC Any of various blood cells that have a nucleus and cytoplasm, separate into a thin white layer when whole blood is centrifuged, and help protect the body from infection and disease. White blood cells include neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Also called leukocyte, white cell, white corpuscle. |
leukocyte leu·ko·cyte or leu·co·cyte (l&oomacr;'kə-sīt')
n.
See white blood cell.
white blood cell n.
Abbr. WBC
Any of the colorless or white cells in the blood that have a nucleus and cytoplasm and help protect the body from infection and disease through specialized neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Also called leukocyte, white corpuscle.
leukocyte also leucocyte (l 'kə-sīt') Pronunciation Key
See white blood cell. |
| white blood cell (wīt) Pronunciation Key
Any of various white or colorless cells in the blood of vertebrate animals, many of which participate in the inflammatory and immune responses to protect the body against infection and to repair injuries to tissues. White blood cells are formed mainly in the bone marrow, and unlike red blood cells, have a cell nucleus. The major types of white blood cells are granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes. White blood cells are far less numerous in the blood than red blood cells, but their amount usually increases in response to infection and can be monitored as part of a clinical assessment. Also called leukocyte. |
kəˌsɪt