antituberculin
|an-ti-tu-ber-cu-lin|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.tɪ.tuːˈbɝ.kjə.lɪn/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.tɪ.tjuːˈbɜː.kjʊ.lɪn/
against or neutralizing tuberculin
Etymology
'antituberculin' is formed in English from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti', meaning 'against') plus 'tuberculin' (a medical term).
'tuberculin' was coined in the late 19th century (attributed to Robert Koch) from German 'Tuberkulin', which ultimately derives from Latin 'tuberculum' meaning 'small swelling' + the chemical/biological suffix '-in'. The compound 'antituberculin' was later formed in English by combining 'anti-' with 'tuberculin'.
Initially, 'antituberculin' would have referred specifically to substances that neutralize or oppose tuberculin in laboratory or clinical contexts; over time it has been used more generally for anything that acts against a tuberculin reaction or tuberculin itself.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a substance (such as an antibody or serum) that counteracts or neutralizes tuberculin or the tuberculin reaction.
The lab produced an antituberculin to neutralize the reagent in the assay.
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Adjective 1
acting against, neutralizing, or inhibiting the effects of tuberculin or the tuberculin reaction.
The researchers noted an antituberculin effect in subjects previously exposed to the vaccine.
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Last updated: 2025/09/11 23:00