hap·ten (h p t n ) also hap·tene (-t n)n. A small molecule that reacts with a specific antibody but cannot induce the formation of antibodies unless bound to a carrier protein or other large antigenic molecule. [German : Greek haptein, to fasten + German -en, n. suff. (from Greek - n, -ene).]hap·ten ic adj. |
hapten [ˈhæptən], haptene [ˈhæptiːn]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Physiology) Immunol an incomplete antigen that can stimulate antibody production only when it is chemically combined with a particular protein
[from German, from Greek haptein to fasten]
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