antigen
[ an-ti-juh n, -jen ]
/ ˈæn tɪ dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /
noun
Immunology.
any substance that can stimulate the production of antibodies and combine specifically with them.
Pharmacology.
any commercial substance that, when injected or absorbed into animal tissues, stimulates the production of antibodies.
antigens of a particular type collectively.
Origin of antigen
First recorded in 1905–10;
anti(body) +
-gen
OTHER WORDS FROM antigen
an·ti·gen·ic [an-ti-jen-ik] /ˌæn tɪˈdʒɛn ɪk/, adjective an·ti·gen·i·cal·ly, adverb an·ti·ge·nic·i·ty [an-ti-juh-nis-i-tee] /ˌæn tɪ dʒəˈnɪs ɪ ti/, nounWords nearby antigen
Example sentences from the Web for antigens
British Dictionary definitions for antigens
antigen
/ (ˈæntɪdʒən, -ˌdʒɛn) /
noun
a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies
Derived forms of antigen
antigenic, adjective antigenically, adverbWord Origin for antigen
C20: from
anti (
body) +
-gen
Medical definitions for antigens
antigen
[ ăn′tĭ-jən ]
n.
Any of various substances, including toxins, bacteria, and the cells of transplanted organs, that when introduced into the body stimulate the production of antibodies.
allergen immunogen
Other words from antigen
an′ti•gen′ic (-jĕn′ĭk) adj.Scientific definitions for antigens
antigen
[ ăn′tĭ-jən ]
A substance that stimulates the production of an antibody when introduced into the body. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. Compare antibody. See Note at blood type.