allergic etymology

Etymology:

  • Greek: "allos" (other, foreign) + "ergon" (work)

Meaning and Origin:

The word "allergic" originates from the Greek term "allos ergos," meaning "other work." This term was first used in the early 20th century by Austrian pediatrician Clemens von Pirquet.

Von Pirquet noticed that certain individuals reacted differently to foreign substances (allergens) than others. He hypothesized that the body's immune system was somehow "working differently" (other work) in these individuals, leading to exaggerated immune responses.

The term "allergic" was coined to describe this altered response. It refers to the ability of the immune system to react excessively to specific foreign substances that are normally harmless to most people.

Understanding Allergic Reactions:

Allergic reactions occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a particular allergen as harmful. The body produces antibodies called immunoglobulins E (IgE) that bind to special cells called mast cells. When the allergen re-enters the body, it binds to the IgE molecules on the mast cells, triggering the release of histamine and other chemicals.

These chemicals cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Itchy eyes
  • Hives
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Anaphylaxis (in severe cases)

allergic relate terms

  • allergy

    Etymology Allergy is a late 19th century term coined by the Austrian physician Clemen

  • allergic

    Etymology Greek allos other foreign ergon work Meaning and Origin The w

  • allergy

    Etymology Allergy is a late 19th century term coined by the Austrian physician Clemen

  • argon

    Etymology Argon is derived from the Greek word argos meaning idle or inactive

  • boulevard

    Etymology French boulevard Old French bolvert Medieval Latin bulvercum meaning ram

  • bulwark

    Etymology The word bulwark comes from the Dutch word bolwerck which is derived from

  • cholinergic

    Etymology The term cholinergic is derived from the Greek words chole meaning bile

  • demiurge

    Etymology The word demiurge comes from the Greek word δημιουργός dēmiour

  • dramaturge

    Etymology French dramaturge Ancient Greek δραματουργός dramátourgos m

  • energy

    Etymology The word energy is derived from the Ancient Greek word ενέργεια en

  • ergative

    Etymology The word ergative derives from the Greek language specifically the word er

  • ergonomics

    Etymology The term ergonomics is derived from two Greek words Ergon ἔργον

  • ergophobia

    Etymology Ergophobia Greek ergon work phobos fear Meaning Ergophobia

  • George

    Etymology The name George is derived from the Greek word georgos which means farmer

  • georgic

    Etymology The word georgic is derived from the following sources Latin Georgicus

  • handiwork

    Etymology Middle English handiwerk from Old English handgeweorc from hand hand g

  • lethargic

    Etymology letharge n Middle English from Anglo French lethargie from Latin letharg

  • lethargy

    Etymology The word lethargy is derived from the Greek word λήθη lēthē meanin

  • liturgy

    Etymology Liturgy is derived from two Greek words Leitos meaning public or com

  • metallurgy

    Etymology The word metallurgy is derived from the Greek words μέταλλον mé

  • organ

    Etymology Organ comes from the Latin word orgānum which means instrument or tool I

  • organelle

    Etymology The word organelle is derived from the Latin word organulum a diminutive

  • organic

    Etymology The word organic has roots in Latin and Greek Latin organicus meaning

  • organism

    Etymology The word organism is derived from the Ancient Greek term organon which me

  • organize

    Etymology Definition The study of the origin and history of words Meaning Definition

  • surgeon

    Etymology The word surgeon comes from the Greek word χειρουργός kheirourgo

  • surgery

  • synergism

    Etymology Greek synergos working together syn together ergon work Mea

  • synergy

    Etymology The word synergy originates from the Greek word συνεργία synergia

  • thaumaturge

    Etymology The word thaumaturge is derived from the Greek words thaumat meaning won

  • work

    Etymology The word work comes from the Old English word weorc which means to do t

  • wright

    Etymology The word wright originates from the Old English word wyrhta which means c

  • wrought

    Etymology The word wrought originates from the Old English word worhte which is the

  • zymurgy

    Etymology Zyme Greek leaven ergya Greek work Meaning The study of ferment

  • mystery

    Etymology The word mystery comes from the Late Latin word mysterium which in turn co

  • adept

    Etymology The word adept is derived from the Latin word adeptus which means one who

  • church

    Etymology The English word church originates from the Old English word cirice which

  • testimony

    Etymology The word testimony comes from the Latin word testimonium which means evid

  • journey

    Etymology and Meaning The word journey originates from the Old French word journee

  • surrogate

    Etymology The term surrogate etymology is derived from the Latin words Surrogare T

  • shebang

    Etymology The term shebang is thought to have originated in the early 19th century alt

  • finance

    Etymology of Finance The word finance originates from the Old French word finer m