ˈhapˌten noun
also hap·tene -tēn
( -s )
Etymology: German hapten, from hapt- + -en -ene
1. : a nonantigenic or very weakly antigenic substance that reacts in vitro with an antibody
2. : a substance not antigenic in itself that in combination with a carrier antigen confers specificity or antigenicity or both
• hap·ten·ic (ˈ)hap|tenik adjective