phagocyte

/ˌfægəˈsaɪt/

Other forms: phagocytes

Definitions of phagocyte

1. noun

   a cell that engulfs and digests debris and invading microorganisms
   synonyms: scavenger cell

   types:

   macrophage

   a large phagocyte; some are fixed and other circulate in the blood stream

   fixed phagocyte

   a phagocyte that does not circulate in the blood but is fixed in the liver or spleen or bone marrow etc.

   free phagocyte

   a phagocyte that circulates in the blood

   WBC, leucocyte, leukocyte, white blood cell, white blood corpuscle, white cell, white corpuscle

   blood cells that engulf and digest bacteria and fungi; an important part of the body's defense system

   histiocyte

   a macrophage that is found in connective tissue

   type of:

   somatic cell, vegetative cell

   any of the cells of a plant or animal except the reproductive cells; a cell that does not participate in the production of gametes