granulocyte

[ gran-yuh-loh-sahyt ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. a circulating white blood cell having prominent granules in the cytoplasm and a nucleus of two or more lobes.

granulocyte

/ ˌɡrænjʊləˈsɪtɪk; ˈɡrænjʊləˌsaɪt /

noun

1. any of a group of phagocytic leucocytes having cytoplasmic granules that take up various dyes See also eosinophil neutrophil basophil

granulocyte

/ grăn′yə-lō-sīt′ /

1. Any of various white blood cells that contain granular material in the cytoplasm and are immunologically active, especially in phagocytosis. Granulocytes are the most numerous of the white blood cells in humans.

Derived Forms

• granulocytic, adjective

Other Words From

• gran·u·lo·cyt·ic [gran-y, uh, -loh-, sit, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of granulocyte¹

First recorded in 1905–10; granule + -o- + -cyte

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, when exposed to G-CSF, long bones rapidly increased formation of granulocyte progenitors and mature neutrophils.

From Science Daily

"Currently, the main treatment for low white blood cell counts is G-CSF, or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, which is produced by the body and can be administered as a drug," said Jaschke.

From Science Daily

Telomere fluorescence measurements in granulocytes and T lymphocyte subsets point to a high turnover of hematopoietic stem cells and memory T cells in early childhood.

From Nature

They also mediate the transportation of IgA and the recruitment of granulocytes.

From Nature

As a precaution against mass radiation poisoning, many governments stock a treatment called granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

From Scientific American