toxoid

[ tok-soid ]

noun

1. a toxin rendered nontoxic by treatment with chemical agents or by physical means and used for administration into the body in order to produce specific immunity by stimulating the production of antibodies.

toxoid

/ ˈtɒksɔɪd /

noun

1. a toxin that has been treated to reduce its toxicity and is used in immunization to stimulate production of antitoxins

toxoid

/ tŏk′soid′ /

1. A substance that is normally toxic but has been treated to destroy its toxic properties without eliminating its capacity to stimulate the production of antitoxins by the immune system.

Word History and Origins

Origin of toxoid¹

First recorded in 1890–95; tox(in) + -oid

Example Sentences

A toxin which has lost its poisonous property, its toxophore group, is spoken of as a toxoid.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bacteria
• contamination
• germ
• toxin
• venom
• virus