autophagies

Noun

autophagy (countable and uncountable, plural autophagies)

1. 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

   Synonyms:

   autocytolysis

2. A type of programmed cell death accomplished through self-digestion.
3. (rare) Self-consumption; the act of eating oneself.

   Synonyms:

   autocannibalism