lymphocyte

American  

[lim-fuh-sahyt] / ˈlɪm fəˌsaɪt /

noun

Anatomy.

1. a type of white blood cell having a large, spherical nucleus surrounded by a thin layer of nongranular cytoplasm.

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lymphocyte British  

/ ˌlɪmfəʊˈsɪtɪk, ˈlɪmfəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. a type of white blood cell formed in lymphoid tissue See also B-lymphocyte T-lymphocyte

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lymphocyte Scientific  

/ lĭm′fə-sīt′ /

1. Any of various white blood cells, including B cells and T cells, that function in the body's immune system by recognizing and deactivating specific foreign substances called antigens. B cells act by stimulating the production of antibodies. T cells contain receptors on their cell surfaces that are capable of recognizing and binding to specific antigens. Lymphocytes are found in the lymph nodes and spleen and circulate continuously in the blood and lymph.

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Other Word Forms

• lymphocytic adjective

Etymology

Origin of lymphocyte

First recorded in 1885–90; lympho- + -cyte

Compare meaning

How does lymphocyte compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• lymphoblast vs. lymphocyte
• plasma cell vs. lymphocyte

Example Sentences

They discovered that SFRP2 appeared not only in cancer cells but also in nearby immune cells, including tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and macrophages.

From Science Daily

Alexander Tarakhovsky added that it was striking to see immune-related molecules, long recognized for their roles in B and T lymphocytes, also influencing microglia.

From Science Daily

When the nanotherapy was paired with medicines that help activate T lymphocytes, another key type of immune cell, the two-dose treatment eliminated tumors in mice and produced long-lasting immunity that prevented the cancer from returning.

From Science Daily

Prof. Alon Monsonego of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that T helper lymphocytes, which are immune cells involved in regulating the body's defenses, shift in function as people grow older.

From Science Daily

Measles destroys lymphocytes that defend against other bugs to make way for ones that defend against measles, an immunity won at the cost of other protections.

From Los Angeles Times