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pinocytosis

[pin-uh-sahy-toh-sis, pahy-nuh-]
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noun Physiology.
  1. 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
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

Word Origin and History for pinocytosis

n.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
pinocytosis in Medicine

pinocytosis

(pĭn′ə-sĭ-tō′sĭs, -sī-, pī′nə-)
n.
  1. Introduction of fluids into a cell by invagination of the cell membrane, followed by formation of vesicles within the cells.
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Related formspin′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.