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Leukocyte

Etymology:

Definition:

Gr. leukós: “white” + Gr. kútos: “vessel, jar”. The name "white blood cell" derives from the physical appearance of a blood sample after centrifugation. White cells are found in the buffy coat, a thin, typically white layer of nucleated cells between the sedimented red blood cells and the blood plasma.

Any of a class of blood cells (which could be seen as "little vessels") that play various roles in cell-mediated immunity. More specifically, leukocytes, also known as white blood cells, are cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders. White blood cells include three main subtypes; granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes.

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