Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “leukocyte” come from?

Leukocyte comes from Ancient Greek λευκός (white) and κύτος (cell or hollow vessel), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewH-.

leukocyte (English): A white blood cell

Definitions

  1. A white blood cell

Ancestry of “leukocyte”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-cyteUsed to form cell names and classifications for...
2Latincyta—
3Ancient Greekκύτοςa hollow; any vessel; e.g. a jar, an urn, a vase,...
4Proto-Indo-European(s)kewH-to cover, bedeck; cover

Words derived from “leukocyte”

  • leukocytic
  • hyperleukocytosis
  • leukocyturia
  • intraleukocytic
  • leukocytapheresis
Every word from Proto-Indo-European (s)kewH- →