[an-ti-juh
n, -jen] 
| 1. | Immunology. any substance that can stimulate the production of antibodies and combine specifically with them. |
| 2. | Pharmacology. any commercial substance that, when injected or absorbed into animal tissues, stimulates the production of antibodies. |
| 3. | antigens of a particular type collectively. |
[an-ti-jen-ik] , adjective [an-ti-juh-nis-i-tee] , noun | an·ti·gen (ān'tĭ-jən) n. A substance that when introduced into the body stimulates the production of an antibody. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, foreign blood cells, and the cells of transplanted organs. an'ti·gen'ic (-jěn'ĭk) adj., an'ti·gen'i·cal·ly adv., an'ti·ge·nic'i·ty (-jə-nĭs'ĭ-tē) n. |
antigen an·ti·gen (ān'tĭ-jən)
n.
Any of various substances, including toxins, bacteria, and the cells of transplanted organs, that when introduced into the body stimulate the production of antibodies. Also called allergen, immunogen.
| antigen (ān'tĭ-jən) Pronunciation Key
A substance that stimulates the production of an antibody when introduced into the body. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. Compare antibody. See Note at blood type. |