antigen

[ an-ti-juh n, -jen ]

/ ˈæn tɪ dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

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.

Nearby words

antifriction bearing, antifriction metal, antifungal, antigalaxy, antigay, antigen, antigen excess, antigen unit, antigen-antibody reaction, antigen-presenting cell, antigenemia

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

Examples from the Web for antigenicity

The effects of formolization on the antigenicity and reactivity of proteins are discussed later.
Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae|William B. Stallcup
Graphs of precipitin reactions illustrating effects of formalin on antigenicity and reactivity of the extracts.
Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae|William B. Stallcup

British Dictionary definitions for antigenicity

antigen

/ (ˈæntɪdʒən, -ˌdʒɛn) /

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 antigenicity

antigen

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

Medicine definitions for antigenicity (1 of 2)

antigenicity

[ ăn′tĭ-jə-nĭs′ĭ-tē ]

n.

The capacity to induce an immune response.

The degree to which a substance induces an immune response.immunogenicity

Medicine definitions for antigenicity (2 of 2)

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.

Science definitions for antigenicity

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.