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View synonyms for allergy

allergy

[ al-er-jee ]

noun

, plural al·ler·gies.
  1. an abnormal reaction of the body to a previously encountered allergen introduced by inhalation, ingestion, injection, or skin contact, often manifested by itchy eyes, runny nose, wheezing, skin rash, or diarrhea.
  2. hypersensitivity to the reintroduction of an allergen. Compare anaphylaxis.
  3. Informal. a strong dislike or aversion, as toward a person or activity:

    He has an allergy to hard work.



allergy

/ ˈælədʒɪ /

noun

  1. a hypersensitivity to a substance that causes the body to react to any contact with that substance. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen
  2. informal.
    aversion

    he has an allergy to studying



allergy

/ ălər-jē /

  1. An abnormally high immunologic sensitivity to certain stimuli such as drugs, foods, environmental irritants, microorganisms, or physical conditions, such as temperature extremes. These stimuli act as antigens, provoking an immunological response involving the release of inflammatory substances, such as histamine, in the body. Allergies may be innate or acquired in genetically predisposed individuals. Common symptoms include sneezing, itching, and skin rashes, though in some individuals symptoms can be severe.


allergy

  1. A highly sensitive reaction of the body to certain substances, such as pollen , that are present in amounts that do not affect most people. Common indications of allergy include sneezing, skin rashes, itching, and runny nose.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of allergy1

1910–15; < Greek áll ( os ) other + -ergy < Greek -ergia, equivalent to érg ( on ) activity + -ia -y 3

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Word History and Origins

Origin of allergy1

C20: from German Allergie (indicating a changed reaction), from Greek allos other + ergon activity

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Example Sentences

I simply couldn’t imagine that I might be among the minority of people who get more than flu-like symptoms, even though I’m in my late 50s, slightly overweight and have bad allergies that sometimes trigger asthma.

As he struggled with allergies, Summer began to read up on the benefits of raw honey and exposing oneself to natural allergens.

From Eater

Penicillin allergies often begin in childhood, but can wane over time, making the drugs safer to use some years later, Sousa-Pinto says.

Still, many tattoo inks contain or degrade into substances that are known to be hazardous, and health complications including infection, allergy and granuloma have been found in about 2% of tattoos.

The Aces pass, catch and immediately attack with startling speed, given their allergy to 3-point shooting.

And, in case you were wondering, the technology can be applied to just about any food allergy.

Some 41 percent of allergy-free and wheeze-free children had grown up in such allergen and bacteria-rich homes.

Or perhaps all this allergy business is just that: a business.

(Though in keeping with the American obsession for these things May is designated as Allergy & Asthma Awareness Month).

Never did the Italian girl from Brooklyn expect a food allergy would bring a stigma the way being gluten-free has.

The newscast stopped and a commercial called the attention of listeners to the virtues of an anti-allergy pill.

Ruth did, of course indicate, told me of his extreme allergy to the FBI.

So they work best with life—viruses, germs, vegetable-allergy substances.

He caught Lindsay's regard, rubbed his chin in mild embarrassment, said, "I've a mild allergy to paranoids."

Sickly he recalled that O'Ryan had told him it took twenty-four hours for his grain allergy to take effect.

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