pinocytosis

[pin-uh-sahy-toh-sis, pahy-nuh-]

noun Physiology.

the transport of fluid into a cell by means of local infoldings by the cell membrane so that a tiny vesicle or sac forms around each droplet, which is then taken into the interior of the cytoplasm.

Origin of pinocytosis

1931; < Greek pín(ein) to drink + -o- + -cyte + -osis, on the model of phagocytosis

Related formspin·o·cy·tot·ic

[pin-uh-sahy-tot-ik, pahy-nuh-] /ˌpɪn ə saɪˈtɒt ɪk, ˌpaɪ nə-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

from Greek pinein "to drink" (see imbibe) + -cytosis.

pinocytosis in Medicine

(pĭn′ə-sĭ-tō′sĭs, -sī-, pī′nə-)

Introduction of fluids into a cell by invagination of the cell membrane, followed by formation of vesicles within the cells.

Related formspin′o•cy•tot′ic (-tŏt′ĭk) adj.