macrocyte Path.
(ˈmækrəsaɪt)
[f. macro- + -cyte.]
An abnormally large red blood-corpuscle found in some forms of anæmia. Hence macrocythæmia, -emia (-sɪˈθiːmɪə) [Gr. αἷµα blood], the presence of macrocytes in the blood; macrocytic (-ˈsɪtɪk) a., typical or characteristic of a macrocyte; characterized by macrocytes; macrocytosis (-saɪˈtəʊsɪs) = macrocythæmia.
| 1889 Syd. Soc. Lex., Macrocyte. 1893 Dunglison Dict. Med. Sci. (ed. 21) 656/2 Macrocytosis, condition in which the red corpuscles are increased in size, becoming macrocytes. 1894 Gould Illustr. Dict. Med., Macrocythemia. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 750 If..a further examination of the blood be made,..both microcytes and macrocytes will have practically disappeared. 1898 Ibid. V. 414 This condition, named macrocythæmia, is apt to occur..in any case of severe anæmia. 1930 Davidson & Gulland Pernicious Anæmia xi. 237 We would describe the condition as a macrocytic hæmolytic anæmia. 1930 M. M. Wintrobe in Proc. Soc. Exper. Biol. & Med. XXVII. 1072 The first and most obvious group [of anemias], which can be called macrocytic, includes the cases of pernicious anemia, sprue, and a case of pernicious anemia of pregnancy. 1932 Jrnl. Exper. Med. LVI. 551 Evidence that a normal red corpuscle could change into a macrocytic or a microcytic form. 1947 Radiology XLIX. 289/2 Macrocytic anemias appeared in certain animals on chronic exposure to doses in the range under discussion. 1962 Lancet 12 May 1004/2 Clinical and hæmatological examinations..showed anæmia with..macrocytosis, and reticulocytosis. Ibid. 1 Dec. 1142/2 The peripheral blood is not strikingly macrocytic. 1968 J. H. Burn Lect. Notes Pharmacol. (ed. 9) 79 In pernicious anaemia there is enough haemoglobin but too few red cells. The red cells are swollen (macrocytic) and hyperchromic. |