allergen
UK[ˈælədʒən]US[ˈælərdʒən]
n
a substance that causes an allergic reaction in the body.
Morpheme Breakdown
aller
gen
aller
other, different
gen
producing
Etymology
the word "allergen" is a modern scientific term constructed from greek components. it combines allos, meaning "other" or "different," with genēs, meaning "born of" or "producing." the term was coined in the early 20th century within the field of immunology to describe a substance that provokes an "altered reaction" (allergy) in the body. thus, an allergen is literally "that which produces a different or altered (physiological) reaction," capturing the core concept of an immune response to a normally harmless foreign substance.
Analysis
Structure: aller (other, different) + gen (producing)
"aller" is derived from the greek root allos (other, different). "gen" is derived from the greek root genēs (born of, produced from).
Examples
pollen is a common allergen that affects many people during the spring.
food labels are required to list major allergens like peanuts and shellfish.
the doctor performed a skin test to identify the specific allergen causing the rash.