Main Entry: an·ti·body

Pronunciation: \ˈant-i-ˌbäd-ē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural an·ti·bod·ies

: any of a large number of proteins of high molecular weight that are produced normally by specialized B cells after stimulation by an antigen and act specifically against the antigen in an immune response, that are produced abnormally by some cancer cells, and that typically consist of four subunits including two heavy chains and two light chains—called also immunoglobulin

[antibody illustration]