basophil

[ bey-suh-fil ]

noun

1. Biology. a basophilic cell, tissue, organism, or substance.
2. Anatomy. a white blood cell having a two-lobed nucleus and basilophilic granules in its cytoplasm.

adjective

1. Biology. basilophilic.

basophil

/ ˈbeɪsəfɪl /

adjective

1. (of cells or cell contents) easily stained by basic dyes

noun

1. a basophil cell, esp a leucocyte

Word History and Origins

Origin of basophil¹

First recorded in 1885–90; bas(ic dye) + -o- + -phil

Word History and Origins

Origin of basophil¹

C19: from Greek; see base ¹+ -phile

Example Sentences

One of them, the chronic urticaria index, declared that I have “basophil reactive factors in … serum which supports an autoimmune basis for disease.”

From Scientific American

It’s a blood test that measures the levels of an immune cell called basophil which is activated by food exposure.

From Time

Formerly granules, apparently basophil, were frequently observed in the white blood corpuscles, particularly in the region of the nucleus.

From Project Gutenberg

Nucleus and protoplasm are basophil, nevertheless in many methods of staining the protoplasm possesses a much stronger affinity for the basic stain than does the nucleus.

From Project Gutenberg

Their intensely basophil granulation, of very irregular size and unequal distribution, must specially be mentioned.

From Project Gutenberg