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group AB

group AB

3.5
A blood type whose red blood cells have both A and B markers
  • noun
  • /ɡruːp eɪ biː/
  • Specialized
translation icon : grupo AB
  • People with group AB blood can receive transfusions from any blood type.

Examples

  • Because he is group AB, he can receive blood from any ABO blood type.

  • People with group AB blood are relatively rare in many populations.

  • The doctor noted that her group AB status made her a universal plasma donor.

  • My doctor told me I have group AB blood.

  • Because he is group AB, he can receive blood from any ABO blood type.

  • People with group AB blood are relatively rare in many populations.

  • The doctor noted that her group AB status made her a universal plasma donor.

Synonyms

AB
vsgroup AB
  • Specialized
24 4.5

A blood group whose red blood cells have both A and B markers

is the basic definition focusing only on red cell antigens
type AB
vsgroup AB
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A blood group whose red blood cells carry both A and B markers and whose plasma lacks antibodies against them

is defined only by red cell antigens not by plasma antibody detail

Surface Forms

group AB singular
group ABs plural

Morphology

group + AB

The meaning is directly compositional: 'group' (a set or classification) combined with 'AB' (the blood type expressing both A and B antigens) yields the blood group AB. This follows straightforward naming conventions for blood types and is cross-linguistically and domain-wise predictable, so a learner who knows both constituents would understand it.

Etymology

Group AB names a 'blood group' whose red blood cells carry both letters A and B. Because the cells really show 'both A and B', doctors call this type group AB, which explains its special rules for giving and receiving blood.