Phagocyte

/ˈfeɪɡəsaɪt/ noun, verb

noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A cell of the immune system, such as a neutrophil, macrophage or dendritic cell, that engulfs and destroys viruses, bacteria and waste materials, or in the case of mature dendritic cells; displays antigens from invading pathogens to cells of the lymphoid lineage.
  2. 2
    a cell that engulfs and digests debris and invading microorganisms wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To phagocytize transitive

Synonyms

All synonyms
scavenger cellantibodyantigenbloodblood bankbloodmobile

Etymology

Etymology 1

From the German Phagocyt, modified on the pattern of -cyte; phago- + -cyte.

Etymology 2

Either from the noun or from the French phagocyter.

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