1. Plural of basophil; white blood cells that contain granules and release histamine and other chemicals during allergic reactions and immune responses.
Usage: medical/scientific term; also called basophilic granulocytes

Examples

• Basophiles make up less than 1% of the total white blood cell count in healthy individuals.
• When exposed to an allergen, basophiles release histamine, triggering an allergic response.
• The laboratory technician counted the basophiles under the microscope as part of the differential white blood cell count.
• Elevated basophiles in the blood may indicate an allergic reaction or certain blood disorders.
• Basophiles and mast cells both play important roles in the body's inflammatory response.