allergen

UK: ˈælədʒən | US: ˈælərdʒən

Definition

  1. n. a substance that causes an allergic reaction

Structure
aller <other, different (from Greek *allos*)>gen <produce, create (from Greek *-genēs*)>
Etymology

The word "allergen" combines Greek roots to describe a substance that triggers an immune response. "Aller" derives from allos (other/different), reflecting the body's reaction to foreign substances, while "gen" comes from -genēs (producing). Coined in early 20th-century medical contexts, it logically merges the concepts of "otherness" and "production" to define immune-triggering agents.

Examples

  1. Pollen is a common allergen that causes hay fever.

  2. Peanuts can be a severe allergen for some individuals.

  3. The doctor tested her for multiple food allergens.

  4. Dust mites are indoor allergens affecting many households.

  5. The label warns that the product contains potential allergens.