antitoxin

American  

[an-ti-tok-sin, an-tee-] / ˌæn tɪˈtɒk sɪn, ˌæn ti- /

noun

1. a substance, formed in the body, that counteracts a specific toxin.

2. the antibody formed in immunization with a given toxin, used in treating certain infectious diseases or in immunizing against them.

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antitoxin British  

/ ˌæntɪˈtɒksɪn /

noun

1. an antibody that neutralizes a toxin

2. blood serum that contains a specific antibody

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antitoxin Scientific  

/ ăn′tē-tŏk′sĭn,ăn′tī- /

1. An antibody formed in response to and capable of neutralizing a specific toxin of biological origin.

2. Compare toxin

3. An animal or human serum containing antitoxins, used to prevent or treat diseases caused by biological toxins, such as tetanus, botulism, and diphtheria.

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Other Word Forms

• antitoxic adjective

Etymology

Origin of antitoxin

First recorded in 1890–95; anti- + toxin

Example Sentences

There is an antitoxin that doctors can give.

From BBC • Sep. 11, 2024

WHO purchases antitoxin, made in horses, from just two companies, and supply has been problematic for a decade.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 20, 2023

As diphtheria - a serious and sometimes fatal bacterial infection - spread among Nome's people, its port was icebound, meaning antitoxin would have to be delivered overland.

From Reuters • Apr. 27, 2023

Dr. Park was responsible for helping mass-produce an antitoxin that served as a breakthrough in treating and preventing diphtheria, a disease that killed many of the small children and others who share his burial ground.

From New York Times • Sep. 23, 2021

Nearly the same thing might be said of antitoxin for diphtheria.

From Essays In Pastoral Medicine by ?Malley, Austin