Antivenin

/ænˈtɪvənɪn/ noun

Definition

An antiserum or antibody treatment made to neutralize and counteract the effects of snake venom or other toxins.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + venin (from Latin venenum, poison, + -in, chemical suffix). Modern term for immunological treatments developed in the late 1800s.

Kelly Says

Antivenins are made by injecting small amounts of venom into horses or sheep, letting their immune systems create antibodies, then harvesting those antibodies to save snakebite victims—we harness animals' immunity to save human lives.

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