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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.

RELATED WORDS

antibody, dander, irritant, pollen, ragweed, antiserum, agglutinin, agglutinogen, vaccine, Rh-negative, Rh-positive, immunizer, immunotoxin

Nearby words

  1. antifriction bearing,
  2. antifriction metal,
  3. antifungal,
  4. antigalaxy,
  5. antigay,
  6. antigen excess,
  7. antigen unit,
  8. antigen-antibody reaction,
  9. antigen-presenting cell,
  10. 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 antigens

British Dictionary definitions for antigens

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 antigens

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).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for antigens

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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for antigens

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.

Culture definitions for antigens

antigens

[ (an-ti-juhnz) ]

Substances that are foreign to the body and cause the production of antibodies. Toxins, invading bacteria and viruses, and the cells of transplanted organs can all function as antigens.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.