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antibodies

 - 6 dictionary results

an⋅ti⋅bod⋅y

[an-ti-bod-ee]
–noun, plural -bod⋅ies.
1. any of numerous Y-shaped protein molecules produced by B cells as a primary immune defense, each molecule and its clones having a unique binding site that can combine with the complementary site of a foreign antigen, as on a virus or bacterium, thereby disabling the antigen and signaling other immune defenses. Abbreviation: Ab
2. antibodies of a particular type collectively.
Also called immunoglobulin.


Origin:
1895–1900; anti- + body
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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an·ti·bod·y   (ān'tĭ-bŏd'ē)   


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n.   pl. an·ti·bod·ies
A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to an antigenic stimulus, such as a bacterium, virus, parasite, or transplanted organ, and that neutralizes the antigen by binding specifically to it; an immunoglobulin.

[Translation of German Antikörper : anti-, antagonistic (from Latin anti-, anti-) + Körper, body.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

antibodies [(an-ti-bod-eez)]

Proteins in the blood that are produced by the body in response to specific antigens (such as bacteria). (See immune system.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

antibody 
"substance developed in blood as an antitoxin," 1901, from anti- "against" + body.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: an·ti·body
Pronunciation: 'ant-i-"bäd-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -bod·ies
: any of alarge number of proteins of high molecular weight that are produced normally by specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against the antigen in an immune response, thatare produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and that typically consist of four subunits including two heavy chains and two light chains called also immunoglobulin
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

antibody an·ti·bod·y (ān'tĭ-bŏd'ē)
n.


  1. Abbr. Ab A protein substance produced in the blood or tissues in response to a specific antigen, such as a bacterium or a toxin, that destroys or weakens bacteria and neutralizes organic poisons, thus forming the basis of immunity.

  2. An immunoglobulin present in the blood serum or body fluids as a result of antigenic stimulus and interacting only with the antigen that induced it or with an antigen closely related to it.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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