antigen

[an-ti-juh n, -jen] /ˈæn tɪ dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn/
noun
1.
Immunology. any substance that can stimulate the production of antibodies and combine specifically with them.
2.
Pharmacology. any commercial substance that, when injected or absorbed into animal tissues, stimulates the production of antibodies.
3.
antigens of a particular type collectively.
Origin
1905-10; anti(body) + -gen
Related forms
antigenic
[an-ti-jen-ik] /ˌæn tɪˈdʒɛn ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
antigenically, adverb
antigenicity
[an-ti-juh-nis-i-tee] /ˌæn tɪ dʒəˈnɪs ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
Examples from the web for antigens
  • But the layers can be alternated to any thickness desired, and inconvenient antigens thus hidden from view.
  • They will be able to create diseases that change antigens frequently thus never giving our immune system time to adapt.
  • As humans age, he noted, our immune systems are exposed to all sorts of infections to which our bodies develop specific antigens.
  • These harmful substances have proteins called antigens on their surfaces.
  • As soon as these antigens enter the body, the immune system recognizes them as foreign and attacks them.
  • Normally the immune system's white blood cells help protect the body from harmful substances, called antigens.
  • Vaccines work by exposing the body to particles called antigens, which trigger an immune response.
  • Some have learned to trick us by changing their antigens, those molecular pieces of the microbe that our antibodies recognize.
  • The authors described the results as a starting point for the preparation and evaluation of synthetic antibodies for key antigens.
British Dictionary definitions for antigens

antigen

/ˈæntɪdʒən; -ˌdʒɛn/
noun
1.
a substance that stimulates the production of antibodies
Derived Forms
antigenic, adjective
antigenically, adverb
Word Origin
C20: from anti(body) + -gen
Word Origin and History for antigens

antigen

n.

"substance that causes production of an antibody," 1908, from German Antigen, from French antigène (1899), from anti- (see anti-) + Greek -gen (see -gen).

antigens in Medicine

antigen an·ti·gen (ān'tĭ-jən)
n.
Any of various substances, including toxins, bacteria, and the cells of transplanted organs, that when introduced into the body stimulate the production of antibodies. Also called allergen, immunogen.

an'ti·gen'ic (-jěn'ĭk) adj.
antigens in Science
antigen
  (ān'tĭ-jən)   
A substance that stimulates the production of an antibody when introduced into the body. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. Compare antibody. See Note at blood type.
antigens in Culture
antigens [(an-ti-juhnz)]

Substances that are foreign to the body and cause the production of antibodies. Toxins, invading bacteria and viruses, and the cells of transplanted organs can all function as antigens.