| 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.