antibody
/ˈantɪbɒdi
/noun (plural antibodies)
A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen. Antibodies combine chemically with substances which the body recognizes as alien, such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances in the blood.We can reduce levels of that substance by introducing into the body antibodies that specifically recognize it....
- You have an immune response to the vaccine as your body develops antibodies to the virus.
- An antibody is a protein which recognises a foreign molecule, known as an antigen.
Origin
Early 20th century: from anti- + body, translating German Antikörper, from anti- 'against' + Körper 'body'.