erythrocyte

From Ancient Greek through New Latin erythro- (“red”) +‎ -cyte (“cell”)

• IPA^(key): /əˈɹɪθɹəˌsaɪt/

erythrocyte (plural erythrocytes)

1. (hematology, cytology) An anucleate cell in the blood involved with the transport of oxygen. Also called a red blood cell because of the red coloring of hemoglobin.
   • 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 1, 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.