verb
- present participle of phagocytise; the process by which a cell engulfs and destroys bacteria, dead cells, or other particles
Usage: British spelling; American equivalent is 'phagocytizing'; technical/medical term; used in biology and immunology contexts
Examples
- White blood cells are phagocytising the invading bacteria.
- The immune system works by phagocytising pathogens and foreign substances.
- Macrophages are actively phagocytising dead tissue in the wound.
- Scientists observed the cells phagocytising the marked particles under the microscope.
- The body's defense mechanism involves phagocytising harmful microorganisms.