macrophage
|mac-ro-phage|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈmækrəˌfeɪdʒ/
🇬🇧
/ˈmækrəʊˌfeɪdʒ/
large eater
Etymology
Etymology Information
'macrophage' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'makros' meaning 'large' and 'phagein' meaning 'to eat'.
Historical Evolution
'makros' and 'phagein' combined to form the modern English word 'macrophage'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'large eater', referring to its function of engulfing large particles, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests cellular debris, foreign substances, microbes, and cancer cells.
Macrophages play a crucial role in the immune system by removing pathogens.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/07/02 19:08