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white blood cell
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noun
any of various nearly colorless cells of the immune system that circulate mainly in the blood and lymph and participate in reactions to invading microorganisms or foreign particles, comprising the B cells, T cells, macrophages, monocytes, and granulocytes.
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Origin of white blood cell
First recorded in 1885–90
Words nearby white blood cell
white bear, whitebeard, White Bear Lake, white belt, white birch, white blood cell, white blood cells, whiteboard, white book, Whiteboy, Whiteboys
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use white blood cell in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for white blood cell
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for white blood cell
white blood cell
[ wīt ]
Any of various white or colorless cells in the blood of vertebrate animals, many of which participate in the inflammatory and immune responses to protect the body against infection and to repair injuries to tissues. White blood cells are formed mainly in the bone marrow, and unlike red blood cells, have a cell nucleus. The major types of white blood cells are granulocytes, lymphocytes, and monocytes. White blood cells are far less numerous in the blood than red blood cells, but their amount usually increases in response to infection and can be monitored as part of a clinical assessment. Also called leukocyte
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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