Phagocytic
/ˌfæɡoʊˈsɪtɪk/noun
Relating to phagocytes or to the process of engulfing and digesting particles or cells.
Did you know?Phagocytic comes from Greek *phagein* “to eat/devour,” the same ancient root behind words like *sarcophagus*’s “flesh-eating” reputation and the science of *bacteriophages*, viruses that “eat” bacteria.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhegʰ-
“to eat, devour”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phagein (φαγεῖν)
“to eat, devour”
Ancient Greek
Greek
phage- + -kytos
“eating + hollowed/containing a cell”
Late 19th Century
English
phagocyte
“a cell that ingests and destroys particles or microorganisms”
Early 20th Century
English
phagocytic
“relating to phagocytes or phagocytosis”
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