antigen
|an-ti-gen|
C1
/ˈæn.tɪ.dʒən/
immune response trigger
Etymology
Etymology Information
'antigen' originates from the German word 'Antigen,' which is a combination of 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'gen' meaning 'producer.'
Historical Evolution
'Antigen' was adopted into English from the German word 'Antigen' in the early 20th century.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a substance that produces an immune response,' and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance that induces an immune response in the body, especially the production of antibodies.
The vaccine contains a harmless antigen that stimulates the immune system.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/03/03 01:39