Eosinophile

/ˌiːoʊˈsɪnoʊˌfɪl/ noun

Definition

A type of white blood cell that stains red with eosin dye and helps the body fight parasitic infections and handle allergic reactions.

Etymology

From 'eosin' plus Greek 'phile' (loving or attracted to), literally 'eosin-loving' because these cells take up the red eosin dye readily in the laboratory.

Kelly Says

Your eosinophils quietly increase when you have allergies or parasitic infections—doctors use the word 'eosinophilia' to describe when you have too many of them, which is actually a clue that something's wrong.

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