hapten

noun

hap·​ten ˈhap-ˌten 

: a small separable part of an antigen that reacts specifically with an antibody but is incapable of stimulating antibody production except in combination with a carrier protein molecule

haptenic

hap-ˈte-nik 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Hapten, from Greek hapt- (stem of háptein "to fasten," háptesthai "to fasten oneself onto, grasp") + German -en (in Antigen antigen) — more at haptics

Note: Term introduced by Karl landsteiner in "Über heterogenetisches Hapten und Antigen," Biochemische Zeitschrift, Band 119 (1921), pp. 294-306.

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hapten

noun

hap·​ten ˈhap-ˌten 

: a small separable part of an antigen that reacts specifically with an antibody but is incapable of stimulating antibody production except in combination with an associated protein molecule

haptenic

hap-ˈten-ik 

adjective

haptenated

ˈhap-tə-ˌnāt-əd 

adjective