What does agglutinogenic mean?
Agglutinogenic means capable of causing agglutination, a process in which cells, microorganisms, or other particles clump together. In immunology, the effect commonly results from an antigen–antibody reaction, and substances with agglutinogenic properties can be identified and compared in laboratory tests. The word is chiefly associated with immunology, serology, and bacteriology, so it is much more specialized than the everyday expression “sticks together.” Although it is sometimes confused with “agglutinogen,” the two terms emphasize slightly different aspects: agglutinogenic describes the capacity to produce agglutination, while agglutinogen names a substance involved in the reaction. Agglutinogenic is useful when precise technical language is required, especially when describing a preparation, strain, fraction, or other material that can induce visible clumping.
adjectiveCausing or tending to cause agglutination, especially the clumping together of cells or particles through an antigen–antibody reaction.
- Causing or tending to cause agglutination, especially the clumping together of cells or particles in an antigen–antibody reaction.
"The researchers screened the bacterial strains for agglutinogenic activity."
"The researchers screened the bacterial strains for agglutinogenic activity."
"The agglutinogenic properties of the extract were tested against blood-group sera."
Agglututinogenic is immunology's name for something that makes cells or particles stick together in a clump.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does agglutinogenic come from?
The word combines the combining form agglutino-, related to agglutination, with the suffix -genic, meaning “producing” or “originating in.” Agglutination ultimately derives from Latin agglutinare, “to glue together,” which is related to gluten, the Latin word for glue. English subsequently developed agglutinate, agglutination, and agglutinin from the same Latin verbal family.
How agglutinogenic is actually used
This is a specialized term used chiefly in immunology, serology, bacteriology, and related laboratory contexts. It is formal and much less common in general language than “agglutinating” or “clumping.”
Easily confused with agglutinogenic
An agglutinogen is a substance that can undergo or induce agglutination, whereas agglutinogenic describes a material's causative capacity to produce clumping.