antigen

[an-ti-juh n, -jen]

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.

Origin of antigen

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

Related formsan·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. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for antigenic

antigen

noun

a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies

Derived Formsantigenic, 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

Word Origin and History for antigenic

antigen

"substance that causes production of an antibody," 1908, from German Antigen, from French antigène (1899), from anti- (see anti-) + Greek -gen (see -gen).

antigenic in Medicine

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

Related formsan′ti•gen′ic (-jĕn′ĭk) adj.

antigenic in Science

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.