An unusually large polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte that contains a multisegmented nucleus (e.g., 8, 10, or more lobes); the arrangement of chromatin is less compact than in the normal neutrophil, and the cytoplasmic granules tend to be larger and more acidophilic. Such changes frequently precede significant alterations in the red blood cells, e.g., as in pernicious anemia and certain other forms of anemia. [macro- + G. polys, many, + kytos, cell]
