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sera

 - 9 dictionary results

se⋅ra

  [seer-uh]
Use sera in a Sentence
–noun
a pl. of serum.

se⋅rum

  [seer-uhm]
–noun, plural se⋅rums, se⋅ra  [seer-uh] .
1. the clear, pale-yellow liquid that separates from the clot in the coagulation of blood; blood serum.
2. immune serum.
3. any watery animal fluid.
4. the thin, clear part of the fluid of plants.
5. milk whey.
Origin:
1655–65; < L: whey

Related forms:
se⋅rum⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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se·ra   (sîr'ə)   
n.  A plural of serum.
se·rum   (sîr'əm)   
n.   pl. se·rums or se·ra (sîr'ə)

  1. The clear yellowish fluid obtained upon separating whole blood into its solid and liquid components after it has been allowed to clot. Also called blood serum.

  2. Blood serum from the tissues of immunized animals, containing antibodies and used to transfer immunity to another individual.

  3. Watery fluid from animal tissue, such as that found in edema.

  4. Whey.


[Latin, whey, serum.]
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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Word Origin & History

serum 
1672, "watery animal fluid," from L. serum "watery fluid, whey," from PIE base *ser-/*sor- "to run, flow" (cf. Gk. oros "whey;" Skt. sarah "flowing," sarit "brook, river"). First applied 1893 to blood serum used in medical treatments.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sera
plural of SERUM

Main Entry: 2serum
Function: adjective
: occurring or found in the serum of the blood <serum cholesterol> <serum glutamic-oxaloacetictransminase>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

serum se·rum (sēr'əm)
n. pl. se·rums or se·ra (sēr'ə)

  1. A watery fluid, especially one that moistens the surface of serous membranes or that is exuded by such membranes when they become inflamed.

  2. The clear yellowish fluid obtained upon separating whole blood into its solid and liquid components.

  3. Such fluid from the tissues of immunized animals, containing antibodies and used to transfer immunity to another individual.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
serum   (sîr'əm)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural serums or sera

  1. See blood serum.

  2. Blood serum extracted from an animal that has immunity to a particular disease. The serum contains antibodies to one or more specific disease antigens, and when injected into humans or other animals, it can transfer immunity to those diseases.


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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