Agglutination is a term that is commonly used in various fields such as biology, linguistics, and medicine. It is a process that involves the clumping together of particles or substances. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of agglutination, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Agglutination is the process of clumping together of particles or substances. In biology, it refers to the process where antibodies bind to antigens on the surface of cells or microorganisms, causing them to clump together. In linguistics, it refers to the formation of words by combining morphemes or affixes.
Origin
The word agglutination comes from the Latin word “agglutinare,” which means “to glue together.” The term was first used in the context of linguistics in the mid-19th century to describe the process of word formation in certain languages.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, agglutination is the action or process of agglutinating or the state of being agglutinated. The Oxford English Dictionary defines agglutination as the process of joining or sticking things together, especially in a clumped mass.
Associations
Agglutination is associated with various biological processes such as blood typing, where antibodies agglutinate red blood cells, and bacterial identification, where antibodies agglutinate bacteria. In linguistics, agglutination is associated with languages that form words by adding affixes to a root word.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of agglutination include clumping, coagulation, conglutination, and agglomeration.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of agglutination include separation, dispersion, and dissociation.
The same root words
Some words that share the same root as agglutination include agglutinate, agglutinogen, and agglutinin.
Example Sentences
- The agglutination of red blood cells is used to determine blood type.
- In the Turkish language, agglutination is used extensively to form words.
- The agglutination of bacteria is used in the identification of certain species.
- The agglutination of sand particles caused the formation of a sand dune.