self-tolerance

noun

self-tol·​er·​ance ˌself-ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s How to pronounce self-tolerance (audio)
-ˈtäl-rən(t)s
: the physiological state that exists in an organism when its immune system has proceeded far enough in the process of self-recognition to lose the capacity to attack and destroy its own bodily constituents

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-tolerance was in 1962

Dictionary Entries Near self-tolerance

Cite this Entry

“Self-tolerance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-tolerance. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

self-tolerance

noun
self-tol·​er·​ance ˈself-ˈtäl(-ə)-rən(t)s How to pronounce self-tolerance (audio)
: the physiological state that exists in a developing organism when its immune system has proceeded far enough in the process of self-recognition to lose the capacity to attack and destroy its own bodily constituents

called also horror autotoxicus

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!