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cross-reaction

American  
[kraws-ree-ak-shuhn-kros-] / ˈkrɔs riˈæk ʃənˈkrɒs- /

noun

  1. an immunologic reaction between a given antigen and an antibody or lymphokine that is specific for a different antigen resembling the first one.

Other Word Forms

  • cross-reactive adjective
  • cross-reactivity noun

Etymology

Origin of cross-reaction

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This case of mistaken identity, at the molecular level, is known scientifically as a cross-reaction.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.