Apoptotic
/ˌeɪ.pɒpˈtɒt.ɪk/noun
Relating to apoptosis, the programmed process by which a cell self-destructs in an orderly way.
Did you know?The biological term apoptosis was introduced in 1972 by Kerr, Wyllie, and Currie, who compared controlled cell death to leaves or petals falling away.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pet-
“To rush, fly, or fall; a reconstructed root associated with motion through the air and downward movement.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πίπτειν (piptein)
“To fall.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
πτῶσις (ptōsis)
“A falling or a fall.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἀπόπτωσις (apoptōsis)
“A falling off or dropping away; formed from apo-, “away from,” and ptōsis, “falling.””
1972
English
apoptosis
“A scientific term for programmed cell death, deliberately revived from Greek to describe cells falling away in an orderly process.”
Modern English
English
apoptotic
“Relating to apoptosis or the controlled self-destruction of cells.”