Antigenicity: meaning, definitions and examples

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antigenicity

 

[ ˌæntɪdʒəˈnɪsɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

scientific context

Antigenicity refers to the ability of a substance, usually a protein, to provoke an immune response in the body. This characteristic is crucial for the development of vaccines and the understanding of various diseases. Antigens can be of biological origin, such as those found on pathogens, or synthetic. The strength of the immune response can vary based on the structure and characteristics of the antigen. Understanding antigenicity is essential in immunology and vaccine development.

Synonyms

antigenic property, immunogenicity, reactivity.

Examples of usage

  • The antigenicity of the virus was studied to develop an effective vaccine.
  • Researchers focus on the antigenicity of proteins to understand immune responses.
  • High antigenicity can lead to stronger immune reactions in vaccinated individuals.

Translations

Translations of the word "antigenicity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antigenicidade

🇮🇳 एंटीजनिकता

🇩🇪 Antigenizität

🇮🇩 antigenisitas

🇺🇦 антигенність

🇵🇱 antygenowość

🇯🇵 抗原性

🇫🇷 antigénicité

🇪🇸 antigenicidad

🇹🇷 antijeniklik

🇰🇷 항원성

🇸🇦 الخصائص المستضدية

🇨🇿 antigenní vlastnosti

🇸🇰 antigénnosť

🇨🇳 抗原性

🇸🇮 antigenost

🇮🇸 antígenleiki

🇰🇿 антигендік

🇬🇪 ანტიგენურობა

🇦🇿 antigeniklik

🇲🇽 antigenicidad

Etymology

The term 'antigenicity' was derived from the word 'antigen', which originates from the combination of 'anti-' meaning against, and 'gen' meaning to produce or generate. The concept of antigens emerged in the late 19th century, as scientists began to understand the body's immune response to foreign substances. The suffix '-icity' is used in English to denote a quality or state, turning the noun 'antigen' into a measurement of its ability to elicit an immune response. Over the years, the term has been widely adopted in immunology and related fields to describe the efficacy of different molecules in inducing immunity. The understanding of antigenicity has evolved, particularly with advances in molecular biology and genetic engineering, contributing to the development of targeted vaccines and therapies.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,811 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.