First Known Use: 1908
Dictionary
antigen
noun an·ti·gen \ˈan-ti-jən, -ˌjen\
medical : a harmful substance that causes the body to produce antibodies
Full Definition of ANTIGEN
: any substance (as an immunogen or a hapten) foreign to the body that evokes an immune response either alone or after forming a complex with a larger molecule (as a protein) and that is capable of binding with a product (as an antibody or T cell) of the immune response
— an·ti·gen·ic \ˌan-ti-ˈje-nik\ adjective
— an·ti·gen·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— an·ti·ge·nic·i·ty \-jə-ˈni-sə-tē\ noun
See antigen defined for English-language learners
See antigen defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ANTIGEN
German, from French antigène, from anticorps antibody + -gène -gen
Medical Dictionary
antigen
noun an·ti·gen \ˈant-i-jən\
Medical Definition of ANTIGEN
: any substance (as an immunogen or a hapten) foreign to the body that evokes an immune response either alone or after forming a complex with a larger molecule (as a protein) and that is capable of binding with a product (as an antibody or T cell) of the immune response
—an·ti·gen·ic \ˌant-i-ˈjen-ik\ adjective
—an·ti·gen·i·cal·ly \-i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Illustration of ANTIGEN
Learn More About ANTIGEN
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: antigenic determinantPrevious Word in the Dictionary: antifungalAll Words Near: antigen
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up antigen? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).