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pinocytosis

[ pin-uh-sahy-toh-sis, pahy-nuh- ]
/ ˌpɪn ə saɪˈtoʊ sɪs, ˌpaɪ nə- /

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.

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Origin of pinocytosis

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

OTHER WORDS FROM pinocytosis

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

Words nearby pinocytosis

Pinochet, Pinochet Ugarte, pinochle, pinocyte, pinocytose, pinocytosis, pinole, piñon, pin one's heart on, pin one's hopes on, piñon jay
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Medical definitions for pinocytosis

pinocytosis
[ pĭn′ə-sĭ-tō′sĭs, -sī-, pī′nə- ]

n.

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

Other words from pinocytosis

pin′o•cy•tot′ic (-tŏt′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.