buffy coat

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a yellowish-white layer consisting of leukocytes that, upon centrifugation of blood, covers the red blood cells.

Word History and Origins

Origin of buffy coat¹

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

In 1811, Arnell stated that "the blood drawn in the early stage appeared like that of a person in full health; there was no unusual buffy coat, neither was the crassamentum broken down or destroyed."

From Project Gutenberg

Tourdes, whose analyses follow, states that "blood drawn from a vein was rarely buffed; if a buffy coat existed, it was thin, and generally a mere iridization upon the surface of the clot."

From Project Gutenberg

When blood has been drawn from an animal, and it assumes a cupped or hollow form, if serum, or buffy coat, remains on its surface, it denotes an impoverished state; but if the whole, when coagulated, be of one uniform mass, it indicates a healthy state of that fluid.

From Project Gutenberg

In some cases where blood was drawn at the commencement of the disease from the arm, and from patients who were extremely furious and ungovernable, it was covered with a buffy coat; but in other cases it has seldom or never such an appearance.

From Project Gutenberg

In the few cases where blood was drawn at the commencement of the disease from the arm, and from patients who were extremely furious and ungovernable, it was covered with a buffy coat; but in other cases it has seldom or never such an appearance.

From Project Gutenberg