serum

[seer-uhm]

noun

plural

serums, sera 

1. the clear, pale-yellow liquid that separates from the clot in the coagulation of blood; blood serum.

2. immune serum.

3. any watery animal fluid.

4. the thin, clear part of the fluid of plants.

5. milk whey.

serum

/ ˈsɪərəm /

noun

1. See blood serum

2. antitoxin obtained from the blood serum of immunized animals

3. physiol zoology clear watery fluid, esp that exuded by serous membranes

4. a less common word for whey

serum

plural

serums 

1. See blood serum

2. Blood serum extracted from an animal that has immunity to a particular disease. The serum contains antibodies to one or more specific disease antigens, and when injected into humans or other animals, it can transfer immunity to those diseases.

Other Word Forms

• serumal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of serum¹

1655–65; < Latin: whey

Word History and Origins

Origin of serum¹

C17: from Latin: whey

Related Words

• antibody