antihistamines
|an-ti-his-ta-mine|
/ˌæn.tiˈhɪs.tə.miːn/
(antihistamine)
against histamine
Etymology
'antihistamine' originates from modern English, formed by combining the prefix 'anti-' meaning 'against' and the noun 'histamine'.
'histamine' was coined from German 'Histamin' in the early 20th century, itself from Greek root 'histo-' meaning 'tissue' plus suffix '-amine'; 'antihistamine' then developed in English by adding 'anti-' to 'histamine' to name substances that oppose histamine's effects.
Initially it meant 'a substance acting against histamine', and this core meaning has remained stable, now used broadly for drugs that block histamine action or release.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a drug that counteracts the effects of histamine and is used to relieve allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and runny nose.
Antihistamines helped relieve her itchy eyes and sneezing during spring.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Noun 2
a class of medications that block histamine receptors (commonly H1 receptors) or inhibit histamine release, sometimes distinguished by generations (first-, second-generation) with differing side effects.
First-generation antihistamines often cause drowsiness, whereas many second-generation antihistamines are less sedating.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/02 06:26