1. to make (a pathogenic microorganism) more susceptible to destruction by phagocytes, typically by coating it with antibodies or complement
Usage: medical/immunology; third-person singular present tense of 'opsonify'

Examples

• The immune system opsonifies bacteria by coating them with antibodies.
• Complement proteins opsonify pathogens to enhance phagocytosis.
• When an antibody opsonifies a virus, white blood cells can more easily recognize and destroy it.
• The serum opsonifies the microorganism, marking it for destruction by immune cells.