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antigen

[an-ti-juh n, -jen]
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noun
  1. Immunology. any substance that can stimulate the production of antibodies and combine specifically with them.
  2. Pharmacology. any commercial substance that, when injected or absorbed into animal tissues, stimulates the production of antibodies.
  3. antigens of a particular type collectively.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for antigenicity

Historical Examples

  • 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.

British Dictionary definitions for antigenicity

antigen

noun
  1. a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies
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Derived Formsantigenic, adjectiveantigenically, adverb

Word Origin

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

n.

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

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
antigenicity in Medicine

antigenicity

(ăn′tĭ-jə-nĭs′ĭ-tē)
n.
  1. The capacity to induce an immune response.
  2. The degree to which a substance induces an immune response.immunogenicity
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antigen

(ăn′tĭ-jən)
n.
  1. 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
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Related formsan′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.
antigenicity in Science

antigen

[ăn′tĭ-jən]
  1. 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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.