Med. [f. Gr. αὐτοφάγ-ος (f. αὐτο- self + φαγ-εῖν to eat) + -OUS.] Self-devouring. Autophagy [cf. F. autophagie], the feeding upon oneself, sustenance of life during the process of starvation by absorption of the tissues of the body.
1881. in Syd. Soc. Lex.
