pinocytosis

noun

pi·​no·​cy·​to·​sis ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtō-səs 

ˌpī-,

-ˌsī-

plural pinocytoses ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtō-ˌsēz 

ˌpī-,

-ˌsī-

: the uptake of fluid and dissolved substances by a cell by invagination and pinching off of the cell membrane

pinocytotic

ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtä-tik 

ˌpī-

-ˌsī-

adjective

or pinocytic

ˌpi-nə-ˈsī-tik 

ˌpī-

pinocytotically

ˌpi-nə-sə-ˈtä-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpī-

-ˌsī-

adverb

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek pinein to drink + New Latin cyt- + -osis — more at potable

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pinocytosis

noun

pi·​no·​cy·​to·​sis ˌpin-ə-sə-ˈtō-səs  ˌpīn- 

-ˌsī-

plural pinocytoses -ˌsēz 

: the uptake of fluid and dissolved substances by a cell by invagination and pinching off of the cell membrane