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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

Related Words

antibodydanderirritantpollenantigenragweedantiserumagglutininagglutinogenvaccineRh-negativeRh-positiveimmunizerimmunotoxin

Examples from the Web for antigens

Historical Examples

  • I have a batch of antigens here that will make you sick as a beast for at least a day.

    Deathworld

    Harry Harrison

  • Antigens were considered by Ehrlich to be proteins or to be related to proteins.

    The Fundamentals of Bacteriology

    Charles Bradfield Morrey

  • In these antigens he could detect only fatty acids or salts of fatty acids.

    The Fundamentals of Bacteriology

    Charles Bradfield Morrey

  • These extracts were carefully processed and were used as antigens.

  • The kind of antibody and the manner of its action will differ with the different kinds of antigens used.

    The Fundamentals of Bacteriology

    Charles Bradfield Morrey

British Dictionary definitions for antigens

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 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).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
antigens in Medicine

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.
antigens 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.
antigens in Culture

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.

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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.