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antihistamine

[an-ti-his-tuh-meen, -min]
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noun Physiology, Pharmacology.
  1. any of certain compounds or medicines that neutralize or inhibit the effect of histamine in the body, used chiefly in the treatment of allergic disorders and colds.

Origin of antihistamine

First recorded in 1930–35; anti- + histamine
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for antihistamines

Historical Examples

  • Several years ago many such tests were carried out with antihistamines to prevent colds.

    A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis

    Melvin Powers

British Dictionary definitions for antihistamines

antihistamine

noun
  1. any drug that neutralizes the effects of histamine, used esp in the treatment of allergies
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for antihistamines

antihistamine

n.

1933, from anti- + histamine.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
antihistamines in Medicine

antihistamine

(ăn′tē-hĭs′tə-mēn′, -mĭn)
n.
  1. Any of several drugs used to counteract the physiological effects of histamine.
Related formsan′ti•his′ta•mine′ adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
antihistamines in Science

antihistamine

[ăn′tē-hĭs′tə-mēn′]
  1. Any of various drugs that relieve cold or allergy symptoms by blocking the action of histamine.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
antihistamines in Culture

antihistamines

[(an-tee-his-tuh-meenz, an-tee-his-tuh-muhnz)]

Drugs that counteract the effects of a substance in the body called histamine. The body releases histamine, which causes many of the symptoms associated with allergies (sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose), in response to external agents such as pollen.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.