platelet

[ pleyt-lit ]
/ ˈpleɪt lɪt /

noun Cell Biology.

a small platelike body, especially a blood platelet.

Origin of platelet

First recorded in 1890–95; plate1 + -let

Words nearby platelet

plateau's problem, plated, plateful, plateholder, platelayer, platelet, platelet aggregation test, platelet factor 3, platelet tissue factor, platelet-aggregating factor, platelet-derived growth factor

Example sentences from the Web for platelets

British Dictionary definitions for platelets

platelet
/ (ˈpleɪtlɪt) /

noun

a minute cell occurring in the blood of vertebrates and involved in clotting of the blood Formerly called: thrombocyte

Word Origin for platelet

C19: a small plate

Medical definitions for platelets

platelet
[ plāt′lĭt ]

n.

A minute, irregularly shaped, disklike cytoplasmic body found in blood plasma that promotes blood clotting and has no definite nucleus, no DNA, and no hemoglobin. blood platelet thrombocyte

Scientific definitions for platelets

platelet
[ plāt′lĭt ]

Any of the numerous small, round cell fragments found in the blood of mammals that function in the clotting of blood. Platelets contain no nuclei and are formed in the bone marrow from precursor cells called megakaryocytes. Platelets contribute to the coagulation process by adhering to damaged blood vessels, fibrinogen, and other platelets. An inadequate number of platelets leads to uncontrolled bleeding.

Cultural definitions for platelets

platelets
[ (playt-luhts) ]

Small, flat disks in the blood that aid in clotting.