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antigène

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Etymology and origin of the French word antigène

Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
1904 Revue générale des sciences More words from the 20th century
Ultimate origin
French anti-,-gène

Pronunciation

  • /ɑ̃.ti.ʒɛn/[1]

Forms

antigène m (plural antigènes)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French anti- + -gène in the early 20th century.[2][3][1] The Grand Robert takes the first element as short for anticorps “antibody”: the antigen is the substance that brings about the antibody.[4] The Grand Larousse traces the suffix to Ancient Greek γεννάω (gennáō, “to beget”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1904, in the Revue générale des sciences, for a substance that causes the body to make antibodies.[4][2][5]

Semantic evolution

The word has stayed a term of biology and medicine.[5] It produced the adjective antigénique, dated 1914 by the Petit Robert and about 1920 by Rey.[2][5] Larousse also uses it for a reagent used in the serological diagnosis of some diseases, notably syphilis.[6]

Timeline

  • 1904 – First record, in the Revue générale des sciences.[4][2][5]
  • 1914 – The adjective antigénique is recorded.[2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (biology, medicine) A substance that, once it enters an organism, causes it to produce antibodies or another immune response.[7][2][6]
  2. (medicine) A reagent used in the serological diagnosis of certain diseases.[6]

Word family

  • antigénique
  • anticorps
  • gène

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  3. ^ a b Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  4. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b c d Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
  7. ^ Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
Cite this entry

“Antigène.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/antig%C3%A8ne. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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