atopy

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ἀτοπία (atopía), from ἄτοπος (átopos), from ἀ- (a-) + τόπος (tópos, “place”); surface analysis, a- + -topy (“out of place”).

noun

1. (medicine) A hereditary disorder marked by the tendency to develop localized immediate hypersensitivity reactions to allergens such as pollen, food etc and is manifested by hay fever, asthma, or similar allergic conditions; generally considered to be caused by the interaction of environmental and genetic factors.
   Whatever factor is invoked to explain the increase in asthma must also be capable of explaining other outbreaks of atopy. 1999, Matt Ridley, Genome, Harper Perennial, published 2004, page 67
2. A person suffering from atopic syndrome; a case of atopy.