Allergen: meaning, definitions and examples

🤧
Add to dictionary

allergen

 

[ ˈælərdʒən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

food

A substance that causes an allergic reaction, such as pollen, dust mites, or certain foods.

Synonyms

allergic agent, irritant, trigger

Examples of usage

  • Peanuts are a common allergen that can trigger severe reactions in some people.
  • It's important to read food labels carefully to avoid potential allergens.
Context #2 | Noun

medicine

A substance that is capable of inducing an allergic response in the body.

Synonyms

allergic agent, provocateur, sensitizer

Examples of usage

  • Doctors often test patients for common allergens to determine the cause of their allergic reactions.
  • Some people may be allergic to certain medications, making it important to identify potential allergens before prescribing.

Translations

Translations of the word "allergen" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alérgeno

🇮🇳 एलर्जन

🇩🇪 Allergen

🇮🇩 alergen

🇺🇦 алерген

🇵🇱 alergen

🇯🇵 アレルゲン

🇫🇷 allergène

🇪🇸 alérgeno

🇹🇷 alerjen

🇰🇷 알레르겐

🇸🇦 مادة مسببة للحساسية

🇨🇿 alergen

🇸🇰 alergén

🇨🇳 过敏原

🇸🇮 alergen

🇮🇸 ofnæmisvaldur

🇰🇿 аллерген

🇬🇪 ალერგენი

🇦🇿 allergen

🇲🇽 alérgeno

Etymology

The term 'allergen' was first coined in 1906 by the Austrian pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet. It is derived from the Greek words 'allos' (meaning 'other') and 'ergon' (meaning 'action'). Von Pirquet used the term to describe substances that caused hypersensitivity reactions in the body. Since then, the term has been widely used in the fields of medicine and biology to refer to substances that can trigger allergic responses.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,319, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.