allergy meaning

Noun: allergy  alurjee

1. Hypersensitivity reaction to a particular allergen; symptoms can vary greatly in intensity
   - allergic reaction

Derived forms: allergies

See also: allergic, allergist

Type of: hypersensitivity reaction

Encyclopedia: Allergy

[Medicine]
Altered reactivity to an antigen,which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen. n pl -gies
1 : altered bodily reactivity (as hypersensitivity) to an antigen in response to a first exposure ‹his bee-venom allergy may render a second sting fatal›
2 : exaggerated or pathological reaction (as by sneezing, respiratory embarrassment, itching, or skin rashes) to substances, situations, or physical states that are without comparable effect on the average individual
3 : medical practice concerned with allergies

Examples

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1. some people have an allergy to pollen.
2. each of these immune responses is an example of an allergy.
3. wyrazik had not, until that time, known about his allergy to penicillin.
4. many therapeutic agents have been implicated in allergies in many species of animals.
5. andrew read the rest of the file-including the intern's note about penicillin allergy.