allergy etymology

Etymology:

• "Allergy" is a late 19th-century term coined by the Austrian physician Clemens von Pirquet.

• It is derived from the Greek words:

  • "allos" (ἄλλος) meaning "other" or "different"
  • "ergon" (ἔργον) meaning "work" or "action"

Meaning and Origin:

The term "allergy" was originally used by von Pirquet to describe an altered or "different" reaction to a substance that was normally harmless. He first observed this in the context of anaphylaxis, an extreme allergic reaction that could occur after a second exposure to certain substances, such as horse serum.

Over time, the definition of "allergy" has expanded to encompass a wide range of hypersensitivity reactions to a variety of substances, including allergens like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and food. These substances trigger an immune system response that leads to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, skin irritation, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

In essence, "allergy" refers to a condition in which the body's immune system reacts abnormally to specific substances, perceiving them as threats and triggering an inappropriate and exaggerated immune response.

allergy relate terms

• allergen

  Etymology Greek ἀλλέργεια allergia meaning other reaction or altered re

• allergy

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

• antigen

  Etymology The word antigen is derived from the Greek words anti meaning against

• 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

• reaction

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• exploit

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• hunky dory

  Etymology Hunky Possibly from Hungarian hunk meaning brawn or muscle Dory Mea

• Geronimo

  Etymology Geronimo is a name of Apache origin Meaning One who yawns Origin The nam

• stress

  Etymology of stress The word stress comes from the Latin word stringere meaning

• quarantine

  Etymology The word quarantine originates from the Italian word quaranta meaning for

• holiday

  Etymology The word holiday originates from the Old English term hālīgdæg which me

• sincere

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• flamboyant

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• nail

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