ˌfagəˌsīˈtōsə̇s noun
( plural phagocyto·ses -ōˌsēz)
Etymology: New Latin, from International Scientific Vocabulary phagocyte + New Latin -osis
: the process of ingestion and usually of isolation or destruction of particulate material by cells that in vertebrates is a characteristic function of various leukocytes and reticuloendothelial cells and 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