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Glite Dictionary
microcyte

microcyte

9.9
A red blood cell that is smaller than normal and often seen in some anemias
  • noun
  • /ˈmaɪ.kroʊ.saɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : microcita
  • The blood test revealed a high number of microcytes, suggesting a possible case of iron-deficiency anemia.

Examples

  • In cases of thalassemia, patients often have many microcytes in their bloodstream.

  • The presence of microcyte populations is a key indicator in diagnosing certain blood disorders.

  • The blood test showed an increased number of microcytes.

  • A high level of microcytes can indicate anemia.

  • In cases of thalassemia, patients often have many microcytes in their bloodstream.

  • The blood test revealed a high number of microcytes, suggesting a possible case of iron-deficiency anemia.

  • A high level of microcytes can indicate anemia.

How Small

microcyte
  • Specialized
9.9
erythrocyte
  • Specialized
2 8.1
macrocyte
  • Specialized
9.1

Surface Forms

microcyte singular
microcytes plural

Morphology

microcyte = micro + cyte

The meaning is directly compositional as 'small cell', but it depends on technical combining forms that are not fully transparent for average learners.

Etymology

Microcyte comes from two Greek parts: micro- meaning 'small' and -cyte meaning 'cell', like in microscope for 'small' and the everyday word 'cell' for -cyte. So a microcyte is a 'small cell', which is why the word refers to an unusually small red blood cell.