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opsonin

(äp′sə nin)

noun

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

Origin: 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 adjective

See opsonin in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An antibody or product of complement activation in blood serum that causes bacteria or other foreign cells to become more susceptible to the action of phagocytes.

Origin:

Origin: Latin opsōnāre, to buy provisions (from Greek opsōnein, from opson, condiment, delicacy; see epi in Indo-European roots)

Origin: + -in

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opsonin medical definition

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