Allergy

an abnormal reaction of the body to a previously encountered introduced by inhalation, ingestion, injection, or skin contact, often manifested by itchy eyes, runny nose, wheezing, skin rash, or diarrhea.
hypersensitivity to the reintroduction of an .
compare .
informal. a strong dislike or aversion, as toward a person or activity:
he has an allergy to hard work.
contemporary examples

columnist charles krauthammer said clinton was suffering from “acute benghazi allergy.”
hillary clinton haters hammered for mocking her illness lauren ashburn january 1, 2013

he never handed out anything stronger than allergy pills, but it was such a comfort having him close by.
the michael jackson effect bruce wagner july 15, 2009

or perhaps all this allergy business is just that: a business.
blame climate change for your terrible seasonal allergies kent sepkowitz may 13, 2014

was it an allergy to opera or was it simply this burning desire to work for the church?
john eliot gardiner discusses his monumental bach biography malcolm jones november 9, 2013

nor do i have an allergy—not one that’s been diagnosed anyways!
when going gluten-free is dangerous rachel krantz january 25, 2013

(though in keeping with the american obsession for these things may is designated as allergy & asthma awareness month).
blame climate change for your terrible seasonal allergies kent sepkowitz may 13, 2014

no allergy case has been reported, and no other medical situation due to the use of mites has been revealed.
u.s. wants freedom from ‘filthy’ french cheese alice guilhamon, christopher d-ckey july 19, 2013

historical examples

two temporary exhibits on allergy and surgical dressings were installed in the gallery.
history of the division of medical sciences sami khalaf hamarneh

noun (pl) -gies
a hypersensitivity to a substance that causes the body to react to any contact with that substance. hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen
(informal) aversion: he has an allergy to studying
n.

1911, from german allergie, coined 1906 by austrian pediatrician clemens e. von pirquet (1874-1929) from greek allos “other, different, strange” (see alias (adv.)) + ergon “activity” (see urge (v.)).

allergy al·ler·gy (āl’ər-jē)
n.
an abnormally high acquired sensitivity to certain substances, such as drugs, pollens, or microorganisms, that may include such symptoms as sneezing, itching, and skin rashes.
allergy
(āl’ər-jē)
an abnormally high immunologic sensitivity to certain stimuli such as drugs, foods, environmental irritants, microorganisms, or physical conditions, such as temperature extremes. these stimuli act as antigens, provoking an immunological response involving the release of inflammatory substances, such as histamine, in the body. allergies may be innate or acquired in genetically predisposed individuals. common symptoms include sneezing, itching, and skin rashes, though in some individuals symptoms can be severe. see also anaphylactic shock.

a highly sensitive reaction of the body to certain substances, such as pollen, that are present in amounts that do not affect most people. common indications of allergy include sneezing, skin rashes, itching, and runny nose.