Main Entry: phago·cy·to·sis

Pronunciation: \ˌfag-ə-sə-ˈtō-səs, -sī-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural phago·cy·to·ses \-ˌsēz\

: the engulfing and usually the destruction of particulate matter by phagocytes that serves as an important bodily defense mechanism against infection by microorganisms and against occlusion of mucous surfaces or tissues by foreign particles and tissue debris

[phagocytosis illustration]

—phago·cy·tot·ic \-ˈtät-ik\ adjective