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antibody
The definition of an antibody is a protein molecule that can be found in the blood and is intended to attack bacteria, viruses and transplanted organs.
(noun)An example of an antibody is rituximab.
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See antibody in Webster's New World College Dictionary
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noun pl. antibodies
a specialized protein produced by certain lymphocytes, esp. in response to the presence of an antigen, to neutralize, thus creating immunity to, specific antigens; immunoglobulin
See antibody in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun 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.
Origin:
Origin: Translation of German Antikörper
Origin: : anti-, antagonistic (from Latin anti-, anti-)
Origin: + Körper, body
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antibody
When bacteria enter a flesh wound, a B lymphocyte releases antibodies, which collect the bacteria and direct them toward a macrophage for destruction.
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