n.
Pronunciation: ˌ a-p ə p- ' t ō -s ə s, -p ə - ' t ō -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -pto · ses \ - ˌ s ē z \
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek apopt ō sis 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 \ - ' tä-tik \ adjective