Leukocyte refers to a white blood cell, a key component of the immune system that defends the body against infections. The term combines leuk- (white) and -cyte (cell), historically used in medicine to describe various white-cell types. In practice, leukocytes circulate in blood and tissues, orchestrating immune responses and inflammation.
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"The patient’s blood work showed an elevated leukocyte count, indicating an immune response."
"Different leukocyte subtypes (neutrophils, lymphocytes) play distinct roles in defending against pathogens."
"During infection, leukocytes migrate to affected tissues in a process called chemotaxis."
"Medical exams often test your ability to spell and pronounce leukocyte under time pressure."
Leukocyte derives from the Greek leukos meaning white and kyte from kytos meaning hollow vessel or cell. The term first appeared in the medical lexicon in the 19th century as microscopy advanced and scientists began classifying blood cells by color and function. The element leuk- indicating white predates immunology’s modern structure, while -cyte stems from cyt- meaning cell, a common root in cell-type nomenclature. Early hematologists used leukocyte to distinguish white blood cells from erythrocytes (red blood cells). Over time, the term broadened to cover all nucleated white cells—neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils—each essential to innate and adaptive immunity. Although technology has refined subtyping, leukocyte remains the umbrella term for white blood cells, particularly when describing counts, differential diagnoses, and immune responses. First known use is documented in mid-1800s medical literature, with widely adopted usage by late 19th to early 20th century hematology texts and clinical laboratories.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "leukocyte" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "leukocyte"
-cle sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce it LOO-kə-site, with the primary stress on LOOs-, IPA US: /ˈluː.kəˌsaɪt/. The first syllable is a long 'oo' as in 'food,' followed by a schwa in the second syllable and ends with the 'site' sounding like 'sight' but with a light 't.' In careful speech, the sequence is two closed syllables before the final -te. Audio guidance: listen to medical diction sources or Forvo pronunciations for confirmation.
Common errors include misplacing stress (putting pressure on -cyte) and misrendering the second syllable as 'coh' instead of 'kə.' Another frequent issue is reducing /saɪt/ to /saɪ/ or blending /lə/ with /kə/ into a single syllable. Correct by stressing the first syllable, keeping /ˈluː/ for LOO, ensuring /kə/ is a reduced but distinct syllable, and finishing with /saɪt/ clearly.
Across accents, the first syllable often remains /ˈluː/ in US, UK, and AU; however, rhotic accents may alter the onset before the vowel in connected speech. The /saɪt/ ending is consistently /saɪt/ in all three, but tempo and vowel length can vary: US tends toward slightly shorter /ˈluː.kəˌsaɪt/, UK may exhibit crisper /ˈljuː.kə?saɪt/ depending on speaker, and AU often mirrors US but with Australian vowel qualities that can tint /ˈluː.kə.saɪt/ with a broader diphthong.
Difficulties stem from the multisyllabic structure and the sequence /ˈluː.kə.saɪt/, with a mid syllable /kə/ that some speakers vocalize imperfectly. The blend of a long first vowel, a reduced central syllable, and the advertising of -cyte as /saɪt/ can lead to trisyllabic confusion: LOO-kə-sight. Mental segmentation helps—identify LO O-kə saɪt as three distinct phonemic blocks; ensure /ˈluː/ is prolonged and not shortened.
A unique feature is the shift between a long vowel in the first syllable and a strong nucleus on the final syllable: /ˈluː.kə.saɪt/. You’ll find that American and British speakers preserve the clear /k/ onset in /ka/ and keep /saɪt/ intact, whereas some learners might slide the /k/ into a more blended /ljuːkəsaɪt/ in rapid speech. Pay attention to keeping the middle /kə/ as a distinct schwa-like syllable.
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