anti-immunoglobulin
|an-ti-im-mu-no-glo-bu-lin|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.ɪm.jəˈnoʊˌɡlɑː.bjə.lɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.ɪm.juː.nəˈɡlɒb.jʊ.lɪn/
antibody against antibodies
Etymology
'anti-immunoglobulin' originates from Greek prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and Neo-Latin 'immunoglobulin' (from Modern Latin 'immunis' meaning 'exempt, immune' + 'globulin' meaning 'a protein globule').
'immunoglobulin' entered scientific English from Modern Latin/Neo-Latin 'immunoglobulinum' in the early 20th century; the compound 'anti-' + 'immunoglobulin' was formed in laboratory and clinical contexts to denote substances acting against immunoglobulins.
Initially the components literally meant 'against immunoglobulins'; over time the compound stabilized as a technical noun referring specifically to antibodies or reagents that target immunoglobulins in assays and medical use.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an antibody (or reagent) that binds to immunoglobulins (antibodies); used in laboratory assays, immunodetection, or, less commonly, therapeutically.
The technician added anti-immunoglobulin to the wells to reveal bound patient antibodies.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/15 10:40