pinocytosis

noun

pi·no·cy·to·sis ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtō-səs

ˌpī-,

-ˌsī-

plural pinocytoses ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtō-ˌsēz

ˌpī-,

-ˌsī-

: the uptake of fluid and dissolved substances by a cell by invagination and pinching off of the cell membrane

pinocytotic

ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtä-tik

ˌpī-

-ˌsī-

adjective

or pinocytic

ˌpi-nə-ˈsī-tik

ˌpī-

pinocytotically

ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtä-ti-k(ə-)lē

ˌpī-

-ˌsī-

adverb

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pinein to drink + New Latin cyt- + -osis — more at potable

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pinocytosis was in 1895

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pinocytosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinocytosis. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Medical Definition

pinocytosis

noun

pi·no·cy·to·sis ˌpin-ə-sə-ˈtō-səs

ˌpīn-

-ˌsī-

plural pinocytoses -ˌsēz

: the uptake of fluid and dissolved substances by a cell by invagination and pinching off of the cell membrane

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pinocytosis

noun

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near pinocytosis

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition