stippling [D, stippen, to prick] , 1. the appearance of colored dots in some cells when stained. Red stippling in blood cells stained with eosin hematoxylin is a sign of malaria. Blue stippling in red blood cells stained with Wright’s stain can be a sign of lead poisoning. 2. the appearance of the retina, as if dotted with light and dark points. See also gingival stippling.
