hemagglutinate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “hemagglutinate” mean?
To cause red blood cells to clump together.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cause red blood cells to clump together.
The process by which certain agents (like viruses, antibodies, or lectins) bind to and cause the aggregation of erythrocytes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant usage differences, but the spelling 'haemagglutinate' is the preferred British variant.
Connotations
Identical technical connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely rare outside specialized scientific literature in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “hemagglutinate” in a Sentence
[Agent] hemagglutinates [Patient: erythrocytes/cells].[Substance] has the ability to hemagglutinate.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hemagglutinate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The influenza strain was found to haemagglutinate guinea pig erythrocytes.
- This lectin will haemagglutinate even at very low concentrations.
American English
- The virus can hemagglutinate human type O red blood cells.
- Not all viral isolates hemagglutinate effectively.
adverb
British English
- The cells reacted haemagglutinatively.
- The sample performed haemagglutinatively weak.
American English
- The virus bound hemagglutinatively.
- The agent acted hemagglutinatively.
adjective
British English
- The haemagglutinating activity was measured.
- A haemagglutinate reaction was observed.
American English
- The hemagglutinating protein was purified.
- We noted a hemagglutinate pattern in the well.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in virology, immunology, and medical research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in laboratory protocols describing viral assays (e.g., hemagglutination inhibition test).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hemagglutinate”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hemagglutinate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hemagglutinate”
- Confusing with 'hemolyse' (to burst red cells).
- Using it as a general term for any clumping (it's specific to red blood cells).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is also used for antibodies, lectins, and other agents that cause red blood cell clumping.
Hemagglutination (US) / Haemagglutination (UK).
No, it is a highly technical term used almost exclusively in scientific and medical contexts.
Yes. E.g., 'The virus hemagglutinates the cells' (transitive). 'The cells hemagglutinated' (intransitive, though less common).
To cause red blood cells to clump together.
Hemagglutinate is usually technical/scientific in register.
Hemagglutinate: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhiː.məˈɡluː.tɪ.neɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhiː.məˈɡluː.t̬ə.neɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HEMAgglutinate = HEMA (blood) + AGGLUTINATE (stick together) → Blood cells sticking together.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIVING ENTITY IS GLUE (The virus acts like glue for blood cells).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'hemagglutinate' specifically describe?