a blood cell of vertebrates that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide, combined with the red pigment haemoglobin, to and from the tissues
Also called: red blood cell
Derived forms
erythrocytic (ɪˌrɪθrəʊˈsɪtɪk)
adjective
erythrocyte in American English
(ɛˈrɪθroʊˌsaɪt)
noun
a mature red-colored blood cell that normally does not have a nucleus; red blood cell: it is a very small, circular disk with both faces concave, and contains hemoglobin, which carries oxygen to the body tissues