Cell
basophil Audio
ba·so·phil [ bey-suh-fil ]
Subclass of:
granulocyte
Etymology:
Greek basis = base + philein = to love
Used of staining reactions.
Definitions related to basophils:
  • A type of immune cell that has granules (small particles) with enzymes that are released during allergic reactions and asthma. A basophil is a type of white blood cell and a type of granulocyte.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Granular leukocytes characterized by a relatively pale-staining, lobate nucleus and cytoplasm containing coarse dark-staining granules of variable size and stainable by basic dyes; contain vasoactive amines such as histamine and serotonin, which are released on appropriate stimulation.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
  • Basophil, type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that is characterized histologically by its ability to be stained by basic dyes and functionally by its role in mediating hypersensitivity reactions of the immune system. Basophils, along with eosinophils and neutrophils, constitute a group of white...
    Encyclopedia Britannica
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2025
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