serum

[seer-uh m] /ˈsɪər əm/
noun, plural serums, sera
[seer-uh] /ˈsɪər ə/ (Show IPA)
1.
the clear, pale-yellow liquid that separates from the clot in the coagulation of blood; blood serum.
2.
immune serum.
3.
any watery animal fluid.
4.
the thin, clear part of the fluid of plants.
5.
milk whey.
Origin
1655-65; < Latin: whey
Related forms
serumal, adjective
Examples from the web for serum
  • serum myoglobin is a test that measures the amount of myoglobin in the blood.
  • If you haven't already, get a serum ferritin test to check if the iron you are taking orally is being absorbed.
  • Human serum destroyed only eight of the bacterial strains.
  • serum immunoelectrophoresis is a test that measures immunoglobulins in the blood.
  • The researchers also looked at blood serum samples from human volunteers.
  • Little if anything has been published studying levels in serum or urine.
  • serum progesterone is a test to measure the amount of progesterone in the blood.
  • serum globulin electrophoresis is a laboratory test that looks at proteins called globulins in the blood.
  • serum cholinesterase is a blood test that looks at levels of two substances that help the nervous system work properly.
  • And, doctors who focus too narrowly on serum cholesterol may be overlooking.
British Dictionary definitions for serum

serum

/ˈsɪərəm/
noun (pl) -rums, -ra (-rə)
1.
See blood serum
2.
antitoxin obtained from the blood serum of immunized animals
3.
(physiol, zoology) clear watery fluid, esp that exuded by serous membranes
4.
a less common word for whey
Derived Forms
serumal, adjective
Word Origin
C17: from Latin: whey
Word Origin and History for serum
n.

1670s, "watery animal fluid," from Latin serum "watery fluid, whey," from PIE root *ser- (2) "to run, flow" (cf. Greek oros "whey;" Sanskrit sarah "flowing," sarit "brook, river"). First applied 1893 to blood serum used in medical treatments.

serum in Medicine

serum se·rum (sēr'əm)
n. pl. se·rums or se·ra (sēr'ə)

  1. A watery fluid, especially one that moistens the surface of serous membranes or that is exuded by such membranes when they become inflamed.

  2. The clear yellowish fluid obtained upon separating whole blood into its solid and liquid components.

  3. Such fluid from the tissues of immunized animals, containing antibodies and used to transfer immunity to another individual.

serum in Science
serum
  (sîr'əm)   
Plural serums or sera

  1. See blood serum.

  2. Blood serum extracted from an animal that has immunity to a particular disease. The serum contains antibodies to one or more specific disease antigens, and when injected into humans or other animals, it can transfer immunity to those diseases.


Encyclopedia Article for serum

the portion of plasma remaining after coagulation of blood, during which process the plasma protein fibrinogen is converted to fibrin and remains behind in the clot. Antiserum, which is prepared from the blood of animals or humans that have been exposed to a disease and have developed specific antibodies, is used to protect persons against disease to which they have been exposed.

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