opsonin

[op-suh-nin]

noun

Immunology.

1. a constituent of normal or immune blood serum that makes invading bacteria more susceptible to the destructive action of the phagocytes.

opsonin

/ ɒpˈsɒnɪk, ˈɒpsənɪn /

noun

1. a constituent of blood serum that renders invading bacteria more susceptible to ingestion by phagocytes in the serum

Other Word Forms

• opsonoid adjective
• opsonic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opsonin¹

1900–05; < Latin opsōn ( ium ) victuals (< Greek opsōnía, derivative of opsōneîn to buy provisions) + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of opsonin¹

C20: from Greek opsōnion victuals

Example Sentences

The process of cell devouring is directed by molecular tags called opsonins which are produced by the body and stick to microbes.

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But those who survived were able to make in their blood-stream the substances known as anti-bodies, the "opsonins," to help the white blood corpuscles devour the germs.

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The most recently discovered of these auxiliary substances are called opsonins.

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It does not contain the antitoxins and opsonins which are normally found in the plasma and lymph, hence the liability to infective meningitis after injuries and operations on the central nervous system.

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In the method for demonstrating opsonin about to be described, a comparison is made between the opsonic "power" of the pooled serum and the specific serum.

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