ˌbāsōˈfilēə noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin, from baso- + -philia
1. : tendency to stain with basic dyes
cytoplasmic basophilia
2. : an abnormality of which increased basophilia of some tissue element is a feature: as
a. : leukocytosis in which the number of circulating basophils is elevated
b. : the presence of basophilic granules in red blood cells (as in lead poisoning) — called also punctate basophilia