antibodies

an·ti·bod·y   (ān'tĭ-bŏd'ē)    (click for larger image in new window) 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.]

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.)

antibody 

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

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.