Main Entry: ap·o·pto·sis

Pronunciation: \ˌa-pəp-ˈtō-səs, -pə-ˈtō-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural ap·o·pto·ses \-ˌsēz\

Etymology: New Latin, from Greek apoptōsis a falling off, from apopiptein to fall off, from apo- + piptein to fall — more at feather

Date: 1972

: a genetically directed process of cell self-destruction that is marked by the fragmentation of nuclear DNA, is activated either by the presence of a stimulus or removal of a suppressing agent or stimulus, and is a normal physiological process eliminating DNA-damaged, superfluous, or unwanted cells —called also programmed cell death

— ap·o·pto·tic \-ˈtä-tik\ adjective