polymorphonuclear

American  

[pol-ee-mawr-fuh-noo-klee-er, -nyoo-, -kyuh-ler] / ˌpɒl iˌmɔr fəˈnu kli ər, -ˈnyu-, -kyə lər /

adjective

Cell Biology.

1. (of a leukocyte) having a lobulate nucleus.

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polymorphonuclear British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˌmɔːfəʊˈnjuːklɪə /

adjective

1. (of a leucocyte) having a lobed or segmented nucleus See also polymorph

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Pronunciation

See nuclear.

Etymology

Origin of polymorphonuclear

First recorded in 1895–1900; poly- + morpho- + nuclear

Example Sentences

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes restrict growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.

From Nature

Like quinine, it arrests the normal amoeboid movements of the polymorphonuclear leucocytes, and has a definite antiperiodic action; but it is a very poor substitute for quinine in malaria.

From Project Gutenberg

The Polymorphonuclear Cell.—This possesses a nucleus of very complicated outline and a fair amount of protoplasm filled with numbers of fine granules which stain with eosin.

From Project Gutenberg

The polymorphonuclear and eosinophile cells are derived from the bone-marrow, each by division of specific mother cells located in that tissue.

From Project Gutenberg

An increase is very much more frequent, and is known as leucocytosis, though in this term is usually connoted a relative increase in the proportion of the polymorphonuclear neutrophile leucocytes.

From Project Gutenberg