pyknosis
/pɪkˈnəʊsɪs/(also pycnosis) Cell Biol.
noun
Reduction in size and increase in staining of a cell or (more commonly) its nucleus, usually indicating degeneration or necrosis; an instance of this.
Origin
Early 20th century. From ancient Greek πύκνωσις condensation, condensed matter (from πυκνοῦν to make dense or solid (from πυκνός dense, closely packed: see pycno-) + -ωσις), after German Pyknose.