WASSERMANN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Wassermann mean? 

• WASSERMANN (noun)
  The noun WASSERMANN has 2 senses:

1. German bacteriologist who developed a diagnostic test for syphilis (1866-1925)

2. a blood test to detect syphilis; a complement fixation test is used to detect antibodies to the syphilis organism treponema; a positive reaction indicates the presence of antibodies and therefore syphilis infection

  Familiarity information: WASSERMANN used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WASSERMANN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

German bacteriologist who developed a diagnostic test for syphilis (1866-1925)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

August von Wassermann; Wassermann

Instance hypernyms:

bacteriologist (a biologist who studies bacteria)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A blood test to detect syphilis; a complement fixation test is used to detect antibodies to the syphilis organism treponema; a positive reaction indicates the presence of antibodies and therefore syphilis infection

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

Wasserman reaction; Wassermann; Wassermann test

Hypernyms ("Wassermann" is a kind of...):

complement fixation test (a blood test in which a sample of serum is exposed to a particular antigen and complement in order to determine whether or not antibodies to that particular antigen are present; used as a diagnostic test)