Main Entry: mac·ro·phage

Pronunciation: \ˈma-krə-ˌfāj\

Function: noun

Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary

Date: 1890

: a phagocytic tissue cell of the immune system that may be fixed or freely motile, is derived from a monocyte, functions in the destruction of foreign antigens (as bacteria and viruses), and serves as an antigen-presenting cell — compare histiocyte

— mac·ro·phag·ic \ˌma-krə-ˈfa-jik\ adjective