Antibody Definition

ăntĭ-bŏdē

antibodies

noun

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.

American Heritage

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.

Webster's New World

Any of numerous Y-shaped glycoproteins that bind to specific antigens and either neutralize them or cause them to be destroyed by other elements of the immune system, such as phagocytes, cytotoxic cells, or complement proteins. Antibodies occur as antigen receptors on the surface of B cells and are secreted as soluble proteins when the B cells mature into plasma cells. Antibodies are also called “immunoglobulins.”

American Heritage Medicine

(immunology) A protein produced by B-lymphocytes that binds to a specific antigen.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Antibody

Noun

Singular:

antibody

Plural:

antibodies

Origin of Antibody

Translation of German Antikörper anti- antagonistic (from Latin anti- anti-) Körper body

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
anti- +‎ body, a calque of German Antikörper.

From Wiktionary