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Antigenic: meaning, definitions and examples

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antigenic

 

[ ˈæn.tɪ.dʒɛn.ɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

biological context

Antigenic refers to the capability of a substance, especially a pathogen or toxin, to provoke an immune response in the body. This characteristic is crucial for the development of vaccines and the understanding of immune reactions.

Synonyms

immune-active, immunogenic, reactive

Examples of usage

  • The antigenic properties of the virus make it a target for vaccine development.
  • Researchers are studying antigenic variations in the bacteria.
  • The antigenic response is essential for effective immunization.
  • Certain proteins have strong antigenic effects.

Translations

Translations of the word "antigenic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antigénico

🇮🇳 एंटीजनिक

🇩🇪 antigen

🇮🇩 antigenik

🇺🇦 антигенний

🇵🇱 antygenowy

🇯🇵 抗原性の

🇫🇷 antigénique

🇪🇸 antigénico

🇹🇷 antijenik

🇰🇷 항원성의

🇸🇦 مضاد للمستضد

🇨🇿 antigenní

🇸🇰 antigénny

🇨🇳 抗原性的

🇸🇮 antigenski

🇮🇸 antígenískur

🇰🇿 антигендік

🇬🇪 ანტიგენური

🇦🇿 antigenik

🇲🇽 antigénico

Etymology

The term 'antigenic' is derived from the word 'antigen', which was first introduced in the early 20th century. The prefix 'anti-' comes from the Greek word 'anti', meaning 'against', while '-gen' originates from the Greek 'genes', meaning 'born of', 'produced by'. Antigens are substances that induce an immune response, typically recognized by antibodies in the immune system. The understanding and study of antigenicity have grown significantly since the discovery of antibodies, leading to the development of various vaccines and immunological therapies that harness the body's natural defense mechanisms.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,552, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.