Biol. [f. as prec. with ending -ODE, repr. Gr. -ῳδης, -οειδης, -like, -form.]
1. A microscopic non-nucleated unicellular mass of protoplasm, the lowest form in which life is exhibited. (A term proposed by Haeckel in 1866.)
1879. trans. Haeckel’s Evol. Man, I. vi. 130. Cytods: living, independent existences which consist merely of an atom of plasson.
1882. Gilburt, in Jrnl. Quekett Microsc. Club, Ser. II. No. 1. 21. A cell is a little mass of protoplasm, inside which lies a nucleus; while a cytode is a little mass of protoplasm without a nucleus.
2. ‘Also applied to the lymph and lymphoid cells; called also Leucocytes’ (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
