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Glite Dictionary
free phagocyte

free phagocyte

6.4
A white blood cell that moves in the blood and eats germs or dead cells
  • noun
  • /fri ˈfæɡəˌsaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fagocito libre
  • Unlike fixed phagocytes, free phagocytes move through the blood to areas of need.

Examples

  • The number of free phagocytes in the bloodstream increases during infection.

  • Many free phagocytes help defend the body against infections.

  • Doctors study free phagocytes to better understand immune responses.

  • A free phagocyte can move quickly through the bloodstream.

  • The number of free phagocytes in the bloodstream increases during infection.

  • Doctors study free phagocytes to better understand immune responses.

  • Many free phagocytes help defend the body against infections.

Synonyms

phagocyte
vsfree phagocyte
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A cell that eats and destroys bacteria and dead cells to help the body's immune system

is a subtype that circulates in blood rather than remaining fixed in tissues

Antonyms

fixed phagocyte
  • Specialized
8.6

A cell that stays in one organ and eats germs or dead cells

Surface Forms

free phagocyte singular
free phagocytes plural

Morphology

free + phagocyte

The phrase is a straightforward modifier + noun composition: 'free' (able to move/not fixed) applied to 'phagocyte' (a cell that engulfs pathogens) yields a phagocyte that moves or circulates rather than being fixed in tissue. This compositional pattern is literal and predictable, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Free phagocyte paints a clear picture: a small phagocyte (a cell that 'eats' germs) that is free, moving through the blood instead of staying in one place. That's why the term means a phagocyte that 'moves' in the blood to find and eat harmful germs.