pinocytosis

noun

pi·​no·​cy·​to·​sis ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
ˌpī-,
-ˌsī-
plural pinocytoses ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtō-ˌsēz How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
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 How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
ˌpī-
-ˌsī-
adjective
or pinocytic
ˌpi-nə-ˈsī-tik How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
ˌpī-
pinocytotically
ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtä-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
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

Dictionary Entries Near pinocytosis

pinochle rummy

pinocytosis

Pinoki

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Cite this Entry

“Pinocytosis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pinocytosis. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

pinocytosis

noun
pi·​no·​cy·​to·​sis ˌpin-ə-sə-ˈtō-səs How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio) ˌpīn- How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
-ˌsī-
plural pinocytoses -ˌsēz How to pronounce pinocytosis (audio)
: the uptake of fluid and dissolved substances by a cell by invagination and pinching off of the cell membrane

More from Merriam-Webster on pinocytosis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pinocytosis

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