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 forms

an·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

These extracts were carefully processed and were used as antigens.
Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae|William B. Stallcup
Antigens were considered by Ehrlich to be proteins or to be related to proteins.
The Fundamentals of Bacteriology|Charles Bradfield Morrey
Antigens were diluted with 0.9 per cent phosphate-buffered saline solution.
Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae|William B. Stallcup
Formolization of the antigens was necessary as a means of preventing denaturation of the proteins by enzymatic activity.
Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae|William B. Stallcup

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

/ (ˈæntɪdʒən, -ˌdʒɛn) /

noun

a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies

Derived Forms

antigenic, 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

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 forms

an′ti•gen′ic (-jĕn′ĭk) adj.

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.

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.