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antigen

[ an-ti-juhn ]
/ ˈæn tɪ dʒən /
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See synonyms for antigen on Thesaurus.com
noun
Immunology. any substance, as a protein, carbohydrate, etc., that, on entering the body, can stimulate an immune response and combine with a specific antibody or T cell receptor having a matching molecular structure.
Pharmacology. any commercial substance, usually synthetic, that stimulates the production ofantibodies when injected or absorbed into animal tissues.
antigens of a particular type collectively.
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Origin of antigen

First recorded in 1905–10; anti(body) + -gen

OTHER WORDS FROM antigen

an·ti·gen·ic [an-ti-jen-ik], /ˌæn tɪˈdʒɛn ɪk/, adjectivean·ti·gen·i·cal·ly, adverban·ti·ge·nic·i·ty [an-ti-juh-nis-i-tee], /ˌæn tɪ dʒəˈnɪs ɪ ti/, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to antigen

dander, irritant, pollen, ragweed, antibody, agglutinin, agglutinogen, antiserum, vaccine, dust mite, blood group, immunizer, immunotoxin

British Dictionary definitions for antigen

antigen
/ (ˈæntɪdʒən, -ˌdʒɛn) /
noun
a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies

Derived forms of antigen

antigenic, adjectiveantigenically, adverb

Word Origin for antigen

C20: from anti (body) + -gen
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 antigen

antigen
[ ăn′tĭ-jən ]
n.
Any of various substances, including toxins, bacteria, and the cells of transplanted organs, that when introduced into the body stimulate the production of antibodies.allergen immunogen

Other words from antigen

an′ti•gen′ic (-jĕn′ĭk) adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for antigen

antigen
[ ăn′tĭ-jən ]
A substance that stimulates the production of an antibody when introduced into the body. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. Compare antibody. See Note at blood type.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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