haemolytic
|hae-mo-ly-tic|
🇺🇸
/ˌhiːmoʊˈlɪtɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌhiːməʊˈlɪtɪk/
causing destruction of red blood cells
Etymology
'haemolytic' originates from Greek elements 'haima' and 'lytikos', where 'haima' meant 'blood' and 'lytikos' meant 'able to loosen/dissolve'.
'haima' + 'lytikos' passed into Late Latin/New Latin as 'haemolyticus' and later entered modern English as 'haemolytic'.
Initially it meant 'able to dissolve blood', but over time it has come to mean 'causing haemolysis (destruction of red blood cells)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an agent, substance, or organism that causes haemolysis; a haemolytic substance.
The bacterium was identified as a haemolytic capable of lysing red blood cells.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
relating to, causing, or characterized by haemolysis (the destruction or breakdown of red blood cells).
The patient developed haemolytic anemia after the transfusion.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/06 17:40