antitoxin

American  

[an-ti-tok-sin, an-tee-] / ˌæn tɪˈtɒk sɪn, ˌæn ti- /

noun

1. a substance, formed in the body, that counteracts a specific toxin.

2. the antibody formed in immunization with a given toxin, used in treating certain infectious diseases or in immunizing against them.

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antitoxin British  

/ ˌæntɪˈtɒksɪn /

noun

1. an antibody that neutralizes a toxin

2. blood serum that contains a specific antibody

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antitoxin Scientific  

/ ăn′tē-tŏk′sĭn,ăn′tī- /

1. An antibody formed in response to and capable of neutralizing a specific toxin of biological origin.

2. Compare toxin

3. An animal or human serum containing antitoxins, used to prevent or treat diseases caused by biological toxins, such as tetanus, botulism, and diphtheria.

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Other Word Forms

• antitoxic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of antitoxin

First recorded in 1890–95; anti- + toxin

Example Sentences

There is an antitoxin that doctors can give.

From BBC • Sep. 11, 2024

WHO purchases antitoxin, made in horses, from just two companies, and supply has been problematic for a decade.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 20, 2023

As diphtheria - a serious and sometimes fatal bacterial infection - spread among Nome's people, its port was icebound, meaning antitoxin would have to be delivered overland.

From Reuters • Apr. 27, 2023

In February 1925, in the midst of a diphtheria outbreak, a relay of sled dog teams delivered an emergency supply of antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, which had been isolated by snow.

From New York Times • Apr. 27, 2023

Here it is difficult to remove the cause, but many cases can be cured and almost all are alleviated be means of a special antitoxin applied locally.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various