neutrophil

neutrophil definition - medical

neu·tro·phil (no͞oˈtrə-fĭlˌ) or neu·tro·phile (-fīlˌ)

noun
  1. A neutrophil cell, especially an abundant type of granular white blood cell that is highly destructive of microorganisms.
  2. A cell or tissue that manifests no special affinity for acid or basic dyes.
adjective
Not stained strongly or definitely by either acid or basic dyes but stained readily by neutral dyes. Used especially of white blood cells.

Related Forms:

  • neuˈtro·phileˌ (-fīlˌ), neuˌtro·philˈic (-fĭlˈĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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