phagocytize

American

[fag-uh-sahy-tahyz, -si-tahyz] / ˈfæg əˌsaɪ taɪz, -sɪˌtaɪz /

especially British, phagocytise

verb (used with object)

phagocytized, phagocytizing

(of a phagocyte) to devour (material).

Etymology

Origin of phagocytize

First recorded in 1920–25; phagocyte + -ize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They can be ''activated'' when dysfunction occurs, phagocytize pathological cells or proteins and even produce protective substances.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023