phagocytize

American  

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

especially British, phagocytise

verb (used with object)

phagocytized, phagocytizing

1. (of a phagocyte) to devour (material).

---

Etymology

Origin of phagocytize

First recorded in 1920–25; phagocyte + -ize

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

phagocytize phagocytized

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

From Science Daily ● Sep. 25, 2023

They can move to the site of an infection and phagocytize the pathogen.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Neutrophils phagocytize pathogens invading the body and release chemical histamines that cause pathogen destruction and removal from the body.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Neutrophils phagocytize pathogens invading the body, resulting in their death and removal from the body.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

Like little Pac-men, their job is to patrol body tissues for unwanted matter, such as invading bacterial cells, phagocytize them, and digest them.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Particles that are larger than the ostia may be phagocytized by pinacocytes.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Worn-out erythrocytes are phagocytized by macrophages and their hemoglobin is broken down.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Hemoglobin that is not phagocytized is broken down in the circulation, releasing alpha and beta chains that are removed from circulation by the kidneys.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Platelets remain only about 10 days, then are phagocytized by macrophages.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Figure 3.12 A macrophage has phagocytized a potentially pathogenic bacterium into a vesicle, which then fuses with a lysosome within the cell so that the pathogen can be destroyed.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013