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gamma globulin

American  

noun

Immunology.
  1. a protein fraction of blood plasma that responds to stimulation of antigens, as bacteria or viruses, by forming antibodies: administered therapeutically in the treatment of some viral diseases.


gamma globulin British  

noun

  1. any of a group of proteins in blood plasma that includes most known antibodies

"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

gamma globulin Scientific  
  1. A class of globulins in the blood plasma of humans and other mammals that function as part of the body's immune system and include most antibodies.

  2. A solution of this substance prepared from human blood and administered for immunization against measles, German measles, hepatitis A, and other infections.


Etymology

Origin of gamma globulin

First recorded in 1955–60

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.

See Examples For:

That’s when the Centers for Disease Control decided to go for eradication, picking Rubeovax for its shot, even though it required that gamma globulin, because it was cheaper.

From Slate Feb. 9, 2021

There was no polio vaccine yet, so we were taken to get shots of gamma globulin purified from the blood of polio survivors.

From Salon May 1, 2019

I wasn't well yet – I was taking steroids and gamma globulin.

From The Guardian Jan. 23, 2011

That led to research by Dr. McCollum and Dr. Krugman that found that gamma globulin — antibodies collected from blood donors — can prevent hepatitis resulting from a blood transfusion.

From New York Times Sep. 26, 2010

The gamma globulin fraction from the serum in these blood samples is rich in rabies antibody, and because it is from human serunr it should cause no bad reactions.

From Time Magazine Archive

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