cytometer
/sʌɪˈtɒmɪtə/Biology and Medicine
noun
Any of various devices or instruments for measuring, counting, or identifying cells. In later use: especially (more fully flow cytometer) a machine that determines the size, number, nucleic acid content, etc., of cells moving in a narrow stream through a beam of light (now usually from a laser).
- haemocytometer: see the first element..
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in The Lancet. From cyto- + -meter, probably after Italian citometro (1879, earliest in discussions of the chromocytometer; compare also German Cytometer). Compare Italian cromo-citometro (G. Bizzozero 1879), French chromocytomètre, German Chromocytometer, and also English chromocytometer (all 1880). Compare earlier haemocytometer.