phago-

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.

One example of a term from biology that features the combining form phago- is phagocyte, meaning “any cell, as a macrophage, that ingests and destroys foreign particles, bacteria, and cell debris.”

The first part of the word, phago-, means “eating,” as we’ve seen. The second part of the word, -cyte, means “cell.” Phagocyte literally translates to “cell-eating.”

What are some words that use or are related to the combining form phago-?

• phagocytic
• phagocytose
• phagocytosis
• phagolysosome
• phagomania
• phagosome

What are some other forms that phago- may be commonly confused with?

• fungi-
• pharyngo-
• philo-
• photo-

Mania means “excessive excitement or enthusiasm.” With this in mind, what is phagomania?