leukocyte

views updated May 18 2018

leu·ko·cyte / ˈloōkəˌsīt/ (Brit. also leu·co·cyte) • n. Physiol. a colorless cell that circulates in the blood and body fluids and is involved in counteracting foreign substances and disease; a white (blood) cell. There are several types, all ameboid cells with a nucleus, including lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, and macrophages.DERIVATIVES: leu·ko·cyt·ic / ˌloōkəˈsitik/ adj.