hapten

noun
hap·​ten | \ ˈhap-ˌten How to pronounce hapten (audio) \

Definition of hapten

: a small separable part of an antigen that reacts specifically with an antibody but is incapable of stimulating antibody production except in combination with a carrier protein molecule

Other Words from hapten

haptenic \ hap-​ˈte-​nik How to pronounce haptenic (audio) \ adjective

First Known Use of hapten

1921, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for hapten

borrowed from German Hapten, from Greek hapt- (stem of háptein "to fasten," háptesthai "to fasten oneself onto, grasp") + German -en (in Antigen antigen) — more at haptics

Note: Term introduced by Karl landsteiner in "Über heterogenetisches Hapten und Antigen," Biochemische Zeitschrift, Band 119 (1921), pp. 294-306.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for hapten

hapten

noun
hap·​ten | \ ˈhap-ˌten How to pronounce hapten (audio) \

Medical Definition of hapten

: a small separable part of an antigen that reacts specifically with an antibody but is incapable of stimulating antibody production except in combination with an associated protein molecule

Other Words from hapten

haptenic \ hap-​ˈten-​ik How to pronounce haptenic (audio) \ adjective
haptenated \ ˈhap-​tə-​ˌnāt-​əd How to pronounce haptenated (audio) \ adjective