gametocyte

noun

ga·​me·​to·​cyte gə-ˈmē-tə-ˌsīt How to pronounce gametocyte (audio)
: a cell (as of a protozoan causing malaria) that divides to produce gametes

Examples of gametocyte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But the dye also kills the malaria parasites in the gametocyte stage, the point at which mosquitoes pick it up from human blood and pass it on to new victims. Donald G. McNeil Jr., New York Times, 9 Feb. 2018 Dutch, American and Malian scientists working in Ouélessébougou, Mali, found that adding methylene blue to a typical treatment regimen cleared gametocytes from the bloodstream within two days. Donald G. McNeil Jr., New York Times, 9 Feb. 2018 Most malaria drugs do not target gametocytes, meaning that someone may still spread the disease for a week or more after treatment. Donald G. McNeil Jr., New York Times, 9 Feb. 2018

Word History

Etymology

gameto- + -cyte

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gametocyte was in 1899

Dictionary Entries Near gametocyte

Cite this Entry

“Gametocyte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gametocyte. Accessed 27 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

gametocyte

noun
ga·​me·​to·​cyte gə-ˈmēt-ə-ˌsīt How to pronounce gametocyte (audio)
: a cell (as of a protozoan causing malaria) that divides to produce gametes
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!