autophagy

From auto- +‎ -phagy.

autophagy (countable and uncountable, plural autophagies)

1. (cytology) The process of self-digestion by a cell through the action of enzymes originating within the same cell, and often a defensive or self-preservation measure.

   Near-synonym: autocytolysis

2. (cytology) A type of programmed cell death accomplished through self-digestion.

   Coordinate terms: apoptosis, programmed cell death

3. (rare) Self-consumption; the act of eating oneself.

• (self-consumption): autocannibalism

• autophagal
• autophagous