endocytosis

[ en-doh-sahy-toh-sis ]

nounPhysiology.
  1. the transport of solid matter or liquid into a cell by means of a coated vacuole or vesicle (distinguished from exocytosis).

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Origin of endocytosis

1
1960–65; endo- + -cyte + -osis, perhaps on the model of phagocytosis

Other words from endocytosis

  • en·do·cyt·ic [en-doh-sit-ik], /ˌɛn doʊˈsɪt ɪk/, en·do·cy·tot·ic [en-doh-sahy-tot-ik], /ˌɛn doʊ saɪˈtɒt ɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby endocytosis

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for endocytosis

endocytosis

/ (ˌɛndəʊsaɪˈtəʊsɪs) /


noun
  1. the process by which a living cell takes up molecules bound to its surface

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012