Allergy

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈæl.əɹ.d͡ʒi/

Definitions

1. A heightened immune response to normally non-threatening substances that results in symptoms such as rashes, respiratory issues, or gastrointestinal discomfort
2. An abnormal reaction by the immune system to common environmental triggers, causing effects like skin irritation, respiratory distress, or digestive problems
3. A hypersensitive response of the immune system to generally harmless substances, leading to symptoms including skin rashes, breathing difficulties, or gastrointestinal issues

Etymology: Clemens von Pirquet, an Austrian pediatrician, coined this term in 1906, and he built it from two Ancient Greek words: "állos" meaning "other" and "érgon" meaning "work" or "activity." Put together, the sense is roughly "altered reaction," describing how the body responds to a substance in a changed, reactive way. Pirquet was not describing a sickness that the ancient Greeks had named; the word is a modern scientific coinage that borrowed classical roots. He modelled the new term on "Energie" (energy), which follows the same pattern of a Greek-derived second element ending in "-ergie." The word reached English through German "Allergie," so the English form is a borrowing rather than a direct import from Greek. What began as a precise medical label for an immune reaction to an otherwise harmless substance is now the everyday word most people use for that same reaction.

Synonyms: hypersensitivity, reaction