A cell in the blood of vertebrates that transports oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from the tissues. In mammals, the red blood cell is disk-shaped and biconcave, contains hemoglobin, and lacks a nucleus. Also called erythrocyte, red cell, red corpuscle. one of the cells in your blood that carry oxygen to every part of your body white blood cell
[ 'red ] (adjective.) before 12th century. Middle English, from Old English rEad; akin to Old High German rOt red, Latin ruber & rufus, Greek erythros.