serum
[ seer-uh m ]
/ ˈsɪər əm /
noun, plural se·rums, se·ra [seer-uh] /ˈsɪər ə/.
the clear, pale-yellow liquid that separates from the clot in the coagulation of blood; blood serum.
any watery animal fluid.
the thin, clear part of the fluid of plants.
milk whey.
Origin of serum
1655–65; < Latin: whey
OTHER WORDS FROM serum
se·rum·al, adjectiveWords nearby serum
Example sentences from the Web for serum
British Dictionary definitions for serum
serum
/ (ˈsɪərəm) /
noun plural -rums or -ra (-rə)
See blood serum
antitoxin obtained from the blood serum of immunized animals
physiol zoology
clear watery fluid, esp that exuded by serous membranes
a less common word for whey
Derived forms of serum
serumal, adjectiveWord Origin for serum
C17: from Latin: whey
Medical definitions for serum
serum
[ sîr′əm ]
n. pl. se•rums
A watery fluid, especially one that moistens the surface of serous membranes or that is exuded by such membranes when they become inflamed.
The clear yellowish fluid obtained upon separating whole blood into its solid and liquid components.
Such fluid from the tissues of immunized animals, containing antibodies and used to transfer immunity to another individual.
Scientific definitions for serum
serum
[ sîr′əm ]
Plural serums sera
See blood serum.
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.