monocyte

[mon-uh-sahyt] /ˈmɒn əˌsaɪt/
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.
Origin
1910-15; mono- + -cyte
Related forms
monocytic
[mon-uh-sit-ik] /ˌmɒn əˈsɪt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
monocytoid, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for monocyte

monocyte

/ˈmɒnəʊˌsaɪt/
noun
1.
a large phagocytic leucocyte with a spherical nucleus and clear cytoplasm
Derived Forms
monocytic (ˌmɒnəˈsɪtɪk) adjective
monocytoid, adjective
monocyte in Medicine

monocyte mon·o·cyte (mŏn'ə-sīt')
n.
A large, circulating, phagocytic white blood cell that has a single well-defined nucleus and very fine granulation in the cytoplasm and that constitutes from 3 to 8 percent of the white blood cells in humans.

mon'o·cyt'ic (-sĭt'ĭk) or mon'o·cy'toid' (-sī'toid') adj.
monocyte in Science
monocyte
  (mŏn'ə-sīt')   
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.