platelet

American  

[pleyt-lit] / ˈpleɪt lɪt /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a small platelike body, especially a blood platelet.

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platelet British  

/ ˈpleɪtlɪt /

noun

1. Formerly called: thrombocyte.  a minute cell occurring in the blood of vertebrates and involved in clotting of the blood

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platelet Scientific  

/ plāt′lĭt /

1. Any of the numerous small, round cell fragments found in the blood of mammals that function in the clotting of blood. Platelets contain no nuclei and are formed in the bone marrow from precursor cells called megakaryocytes. Platelets contribute to the coagulation process by adhering to damaged blood vessels, fibrinogen, and other platelets. An inadequate number of platelets leads to uncontrolled bleeding.

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Etymology

Origin of platelet

First recorded in 1890–95; plate ¹ + -let

Example Sentences

There are modest risks for taking antidepressants over a lifetime, says Lenze, such as bleeding because some inhibit platelet function.

From The Wall Street Journal

Fanconi anemia affects the body's ability to repair DNA damage, disrupting the production of vital blood cells such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

From Science Daily

Untreated, the clots cause organ damage and low red blood cell and platelet counts.

From BBC

But the study showed that another part of our blood - the platelets that normally stop bleeding - were suppressing the T-cells and making it harder for them to take out the cancer.

From BBC

On Sunday, the Pope's thrombocytopenia - a condition that occurs when the platelet count in the blood is too low - was stable, the statement said.

From BBC