anaphylaxis

[ an-uh-fuh-lak-sis ]

/ ˌæn ə fəˈlæk sɪs /

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noun Pathology.

exaggerated allergic reaction to a foreign protein resulting from previous exposure to it.

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Origin of anaphylaxis

First recorded in 1905–10; ana- + (pro)phylaxis

OTHER WORDS FROM anaphylaxis

an·a·phy·lac·tic

[an-uh-fuh-lak-tik], /ˌæn ə fəˈlæk tɪk/, adjectivean·a·phy·lac·ti·cal·ly, adverban·ti·an·a·phy·lac·tic, adjective, nounpseu·do·an·a·phy·lac·tic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use anaphylaxis in a sentence

The first case in the line of descent must start with a severe poisoning that lays the foundation of the anaphylactic inheritance.
The Treatment of Hay Fever|George Frederick Laidlaw
The histone was so toxic that its anaphylactic properties could not be studied.
The Organism as a Whole|Jacques Loeb
Now all these specific reactions, the precipitin reaction as well as the anaphylactic reaction, can be called forth by proteins.
The Organism as a Whole|Jacques Loeb
To avoid anaphylactic shock, this dose must be incredibly small.
The Treatment of Hay Fever|George Frederick Laidlaw

Idiosyncrasy to cow's milk which is observed sometimes in infants is an anaphylactic phenomenon.
Food Poisoning|Edwin Oakes Jordan

British Dictionary definitions for anaphylaxis

anaphylaxis

/ (ˌænəfɪˈlæksɪs) /

noun

extreme sensitivity to an injected antigen, esp a protein, following a previous injection

Derived forms of anaphylaxis

anaphylactic or anaphylactoid, adjectiveanaphylactically, adverb

Word Origin for anaphylaxis

C20: from ana- + (pro) phylaxis

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

Medical definitions for anaphylaxis

anaphylaxis

[ ăn′ə-fə-lăk′sĭs ]

n. pl. an•a•phy•lax•es (-lăk′sēz)

Hypersensitivity induced by preliminary exposure to a substance and usually producing a contraction of smooth muscle and a dilation of blood vessels.

anaphylactic shock

Other words from anaphylaxis

an′a•phy•lac′tic (-lăk′tĭk) adj.

Scientific definitions for anaphylaxis

anaphylaxis

[ ăn′ə-fə-lăk′sĭs ]

See anaphylactic shock.