pinocytosis noun. [,pi:nǝʊsʌɪ'tǝʊsɪs, ,pɪnǝʊ-, ,pʌɪnǝʊ-] L19.
[from Greek pinein to drink + -cytosis after phagocytosis.]
Biology. A process by which droplets of liquid are taken into a cell in small vesicles pinched off from the cell membrane.

► Rare until recoined in M20.

■ pinocytic [-'sɪtɪk] adjective = pinocytotic M20.

■ pinocytose verb trans. & intrans. absorb (liquid etc.) by pinocytosis M20.

■ pinocytotic [-sʌɪ'tɒtɪk] adjective of or pertaining to pinocytosis M20.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲