phagocyte

Meanings

Noun

• A cell of the immune system, such as a neutrophil, macrophage or dendritic cell, that engulfs and destroys viruses, bacteria and waste materials, or in the case of mature dendritic cells; displays antigens from invading pathogens to cells of the lymphoid lineage.

Verb

• To phagocytize

Origin

• From the German Phagocyt, modified on the pattern of -cyte; phago- + -cyte
• Either from the noun or from the French phagocyter.