erythrocyte

From erythro- (“red”) +‎ -cyte (“cell”), referring to the red color of hemoglobin when oxygen is bound to it.

• IPA^(key): /əˈɹɪθɹəˌsaɪt/

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erythrocyte (plural erythrocytes)

1. (hematology, cytology) A hemoglobin-containing cell, especially as found in humans but more generally present in the blood of most vertebrates, that is involved with the transport of oxygen; such cells are usually anucleate in humans and many other animals.
   • 1901 March 23, Ch. S. Sherrington, “The name of the red corpuscle: a suggestion”, in British Medical Journal, page 742:

     The want of success of these names may be attributed to their awkwardness in sound or sense; "erythrocyte" seems the best of them, but is unfortunately four-syllabled.

   • 1901 September, C. Y. White, “Granular degeneration of the erythrocyte”, in The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, volume 122, number 3:

     Granular, basic, or punctate degeneration of the erythrocyte is a condition in which this cell presents fine or coarse granules that have an affinity for basic stains.

• red blood cell
• RBC

• blood cell
• hemocyte

• leukocyte
• white blood cell
• WBC