antigen
[ an-ti-juhn, -jen ]
/ ˈæn tɪ dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /
Save This Word!
noun
Immunology. any substance that can stimulate the production of antibodies and combine specifically with them.
Pharmacology. any commercial substance that, when injected or absorbed into animal tissues, stimulates the production of antibodies.
antigens of a particular type collectively.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON THE 12 TYPES OF VERB TENSES!
Loosen up your grammar muscles because it’s time to test your knowledge on verb tenses!
Question 1 of 6
The verb tenses can be split into which 3 primary categories?
Meet Grammar Coach
Improve Your Writing
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/, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for antigen
antigen
/ (ˈæntɪdʒən, -ˌdʒɛn) /
noun
a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies
Derived forms of antigen
antigenic, adjectiveantigenically, adverbWord 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.