HealthAugust 17, 2026

autoimmune

AW-toh-ih-MYOON

Definition

Relating to a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues.

Etymology

The word combines the Greek prefix 'auto-', meaning 'self,' with the word 'immune,' which comes from the Latin 'immunis,' meaning 'exempt' or 'free from burden.' It describes a state where the self-defense mechanism turns against the body it is meant to protect.

In the news

The article mentions that understanding T cell behavior could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases, where immune cells incorrectly target healthy parts of the body.

Scientists discover immune cells have a ‘sense of touch’

Read the full article ↗

McGill University

Related words

biomarkers

Measurable indicators or biological substances in the body that can be used to assess…

Health

catheterization

A medical procedure in which a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into the…

Health

dewormers

Medications used to treat or prevent infections caused by parasitic worms in humans or…

Health

dietetics

The branch of knowledge concerned with the diet and its effects on health, especially…

Health

fibronectin

A type of glycoprotein that helps cells adhere to the extracellular matrix, included in…

Health

immunotherapies

Medical treatments that stimulate or restore the ability of the immune system to fight…

Health

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.