monocyte

[ mon-uh-sahyt ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. a large, circulating white blood cell, formed in bone marrow and in the spleen, that ingests large foreign particles and cell debris.

monocyte

/ ˌmɒnəˈsɪtɪk; ˈmɒnəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. a large phagocytic leucocyte with a spherical nucleus and clear cytoplasm

monocyte

/ mŏn′ə-sīt′ /

1. Any of various large white blood cells that are formed in the bone marrow, circulate in the blood, and destroy pathogenic bacteria by phagocytosis. Monocytes develop into macrophages in various body tissues.

Derived Forms

• monocytic, adjective
• ˌmonoˈcytoid, adjective

Other Words From

• mon·o·cyt·ic [mon-, uh, -, sit, -ik], adjective
• mono·cytoid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of monocyte¹

First recorded in 1910–15; mono- + -cyte

Example Sentences

In the same study, the researchers gave a new group of patients three BCG injections in a year and observed that genes related to breaking down glucose were more active in the patients’ T cells and monocytes than before the shots.

From Science News