atopy

a·top·ic   (ā-tŏp'ĭk)    adj.  Of, relating to, or caused by a hereditary predisposition toward developing certain hypersensitivity reactions, such as hay fever, asthma, or chronic urticaria, upon exposure to specific antigens: atopic dermatitis. [From Greek atopiā, unusualness, from atopos, out of the way : a-, not; see a-1 + topos, place.] at'o·py (āt'ə-pē) n.

Main Entry: at·o·py
Pronunciation: 'at-&-pE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -pies
: a probably hereditary allergycharacterized by symptoms (as asthma, hay fever, or hives) produced upon exposure to the exciting antigen without inoculation

atopy at·o·py (āt'ə-pē)
n.
A hereditary disorder marked by the tendency to develop immediate allergic reactions to substances such as pollen, food, dander, and insect venoms and manifested by hay fever, asthma, or similar allergic conditions. Also called atopic allergy.

---

a·top'ic (ā-tŏp'ĭk) adj.

atopy

type of hypersensitivity characterized by an immediate physiological reaction, with movement of fluid from the blood vessels into the tissues, upon exposure to an allergen. Atopy occurs mainly in persons with a familial tendency to allergic diseases; reaginic antibodies are found in the skin and serum of atopic persons. Atopy may be contrasted with the condition called delayed hypersensitivity, in which allergic symptoms take hours or days to develop. See also allergy.

Learn more about atopy with a free trial on Britannica.com.