opsonin Hear it!

opsonin definition

op·so·nin (äp′sə nin)

noun

a substance in blood serum acting on bacteria and foreign cells to make them more liable to destruction by phagocytes

Etymology: obs. opson(ium), relish (< L < Gr opsōnion, food, provisions < opsōnein, to buy food < opson, meat or any food eaten with bread < o-, together with + *psōn, food, bread, akin to psōmos, mouthful) + -in

Related Forms:

  • opsonic op·son′ic (-sän′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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