hemolysis

[ hi-mol-uh-sis ]

noun

1. the breaking down of red blood cells with liberation of hemoglobin.

hemolysis

/ hĭ-mŏl′ĭ-sĭs,hē′mə-lī′sĭs /

1. The destruction of red blood cells, caused by disruption of the cell membrane and resulting in the release of hemoglobin. Hemolysis is seen in some types of anemia, which can be either inherited or acquired, as by exposure to toxins or by the presence of antibodies that attack red blood cells.

Other Words From

• he·mo·lyt·ic [hee-m, uh, -, lit, -ik, hem-, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hemolysis¹

First recorded in 1885–90; hemo- + -lysis

Example Sentences

The specialist sent off a half-dozen more tubes of blood, looking for some of the rare causes of hemolysis.

From New York Times

She suspected hemolysis—the destruction of red blood cells by porins—might be the fatal mechanism.

From Science Magazine

An increase in LDH is thought to indicate hemolysis caused by thrombus formation.

From Forbes

The second is a problem, called hemolysis, that shortens the life span of red blood cells.

From Washington Post

Here is the woman’s heart sealed in this jar, I weighed it, weight nine ounces, if she had A hemolysis, cannot tell you now What caused the hemolysis.

From Project Gutenberg