haptoglobin

noun

hap·to·glo·bin | \ ˈhap-tə-ˌglō-bən

Definition of haptoglobin

: any of several forms of an alpha globulin found in blood serum that can combine with free hemoglobin in the plasma and thereby prevent the loss of iron into the urine

Examples of haptoglobin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web If more blood is being destroyed than usual, the level of haptoglobin drops. — Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'haptoglobin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for haptoglobin

borrowed from French haptoglobine, shortened from earlier prosaptoglobine, from Greek prosáptein "to fasten, attach to" (from pros- pros- + háptein "to fasten") + French -o- -o- + globine globin — more at haptics

Note: Term introduced by the French biochemist Michel Polonovski (1889-1954) and the endocrinologist Max-Fernand Jayle (1913-78) in "Sur la préparation d'une nouvelle fraction des protéines plasmatiques, l'haptoglobine," Comptes rendus hebdomadaires des séances de l'Académie des sciences, tome 211 (juillet-décembre, 1940), pp. 517-19.

Learn More About haptoglobin

Dictionary Entries Near haptoglobin

haptics

haptoglobin

Haptopoda

Statistics for haptoglobin

Cite this Entry

“Haptoglobin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/haptoglobin. Accessed 30 Jun. 2022.

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More Definitions for haptoglobin

haptoglobin

noun

hap·to·glo·bin | \ ˈhap-tə-ˌglō-bən

Medical Definition of haptoglobin

: any of several forms of an alpha globulin found in blood serum that can combine with free hemoglobin in the plasma and thereby prevent the loss of iron into the urine