Main Entry:

hap·ten

Pronunciation:

\ˈhap-ˌten\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

German, from Greek haptein to fasten

Date:

1921

: a small separable part of an antigen that reacts specifically with an antibody but is incapable of stimulating antibody production except in combination with a carrier protein molecule

— hap·ten·ic \hap-ˈte-nik\ adjective