leucocytosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Scientific (primarily medical)
Quick answer
What does “leucocytosis” mean?
An increase in the number of white cells in the blood, typically due to infection, inflammation, or other disease processes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An increase in the number of white cells in the blood, typically due to infection, inflammation, or other disease processes.
The condition serves as a non-specific diagnostic indicator, often prompting further investigation to determine the underlying cause, such as bacterial infection, leukaemia, or tissue damage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In US English, the predominant spelling is 'leukocytosis' (without the 'c'). 'Leucocytosis' is the standard British spelling, though 'leukocytosis' is also understood and sometimes used.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties; purely medical term.
Frequency
The term is used with similar, low frequency in both medical communities, with the spelling difference being the key distinction.
Grammar
How to Use “leucocytosis” in a Sentence
[Patient/Blood test] shows/presents with/has leucocytosis.Leucocytosis is caused by/associated with [infection/disease].[Infection/Inflammation] induces/produces leucocytosis.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “leucocytosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The infection caused the blood to leucocytose.
- The body may leucocytose in response to stress.
American English
- The infection caused the blood to leukocytose.
- The body may leukocytose in response to stress.
adjective
British English
- The leucocytotic response was immediate.
- A leucocytotic blood picture was observed.
American English
- The leukocytotic response was immediate.
- A leukocytotic blood picture was observed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and biological research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Rarely used; a doctor might explain it as "a high white blood cell count" to a patient.
Technical
Core term in haematology, pathology, and clinical medicine for describing a common lab finding.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “leucocytosis”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “leucocytosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “leucocytosis”
- Misspelling as 'leukocytosis' in British contexts (acceptable but less common) or 'leucositosis'.
- Using it interchangeably with 'infection' (it is a sign, not the cause itself).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a disease itself. It is a laboratory finding or a condition that indicates an underlying issue, such as infection, inflammation, or stress.
Leucocytosis is a broad term for a high white blood cell count, often reactive and temporary. Leukaemia is a specific type of cancer where the bone marrow produces abnormal, cancerous white blood cells, which usually also causes leucocytosis.
In British English: /ˌluːkə(ʊ)sʌɪˈtəʊsɪs/ (loo-koh-sy-TOH-sis). In American English: /ˌluːkoʊsaɪˈtoʊsɪs/ (loo-koh-sy-TOH-sis). The main difference is the 'o' in the second syllable.
Yes, physical or emotional stress can trigger a temporary leucocytosis, often due to the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
An increase in the number of white cells in the blood, typically due to infection, inflammation, or other disease processes.
Leucocytosis is usually technical/scientific (primarily medical) in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Leuco' (white) + 'cytosis' (condition of cells) = a condition of too many white cells.
Conceptual Metaphor
A bodily alarm system; an elevated guard force in the bloodstream.
Practice
Quiz
Leucocytosis is most specifically defined as: