phago-

American  

1. a combining form meaning “eating, devouring,” used in the formation of compound words.

   phagocyte.

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phago- British  

combining form

1. eating, consuming, or destroying

   phagocyte

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Usage

What does phago- mean? Phago- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “eating,” “devouring.” It is used in some scientific terms, especially in biology. Phago- ultimately comes from the Greek phageîn, meaning “to eat, devour.” This Greek root also helps form the word esophagus. Discover the connection at our entry for the word. Corresponding forms of phago- combined to the end of words are -phage, -phagous, -phagy, and -phagia. Learn more about their specific applications at our Words That Use articles for the forms.

Etymology

Origin of phago-

< Greek, combining form akin to phageîn to eat, devour