blood type

American  

noun

1. blood group.

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blood type British  

noun

1. another name for blood group

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blood type Scientific  

1. Any of the four main types into which human blood is divided: A, B, AB, and O. Blood types are based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on red blood cells.

2. Also called blood group

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blood type Cultural  

1. One of many groups into which a person's blood can be categorized, based on the presence or absence of specific antigens in the blood. Blood type is inherited.

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Closer Look

Blood transfusions used to be the treatment of last resort, since they often caused death. But in the 1890s Austrian scientist Karl Landsteiner began to solve the transfusion puzzle when he found that all human red blood cells belonged to one of four groups which he named A, B, AB, and O. The types refer to antigens found on the surface of these cells. Antibodies circulating in a person's blood normally recognize the antigens in that same person's blood cells and don't react with them. However, if a person with one blood type is transfused with blood of another type, the antibodies bind to the foreign antigens, causing dangerous clumping of the blood. Thus the key to a successful transfusion is to give a person blood that has matching antigens. In the first half of the twentieth century, the study of Rhesus monkeys, which share many biological characteristics with humans, gave rise to the recognition of a human blood protein called the Rh factor. People who have this blood protein are considered Rh positive, while individuals who lack the protein are referred to as Rh negative. The Rh factor is connected to an individual's blood type. If a person has type AB blood with a positive Rh factor, his or her blood type is referred to as AB positive. The Rh factor causes a problem in a fetus whose blood is Rh positive and whose mother is Rh negative because the mother's negative blood attacks the positive blood of the fetus. In this instance, a blood transfusion to the fetus can save its life.

Discover More

Blood transfusions can be given only between donors and recipients who have compatible types; if the types are not compatible, the blood of the recipient forms antibodies against the blood of the donor. There are four basic groupings — A, B, AB, and O — and within these groupings, the Rh factor may be present or absent.

Etymology

Origin of blood type

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Another released hundreds of hospital medical records, including those of Israeli soldiers that included data such as their blood types.

From The Wall Street Journal

She discovered her blood type didn't match that of her parents when she became pregnant, and a doctor informed her about the case of the switched babies.

From BBC

Finding a suitable donor — one with the proper blood type, antibody levels and geographic location — all play a role.

From Los Angeles Times

A man with a rare blood type who made his 100th donation this year is encouraging others to give blood.

From BBC

Disease screenings, temperament tests and blood type preferences left them with 16 regular donors so far that they hope will come in four times a year.

From Los Angeles Times