: the clear, yellowish fluid that remains from blood plasma after clotting factors (such as fibrinogen and prothrombin) have been removed by clot formation : blood serum compare antiserum, convalescent serum
b
: a normal or pathological serous fluid (as in a blister)
: a usually lightweight cosmetic preparation especially for use on the face
specifically: a typically water-based, often concentrated preparation that lacks lubricating and thickening agents
an antiaging facial serum
3
: the watery part of a plant fluid
Latex. This, the natural product of the rubber tree, is a suspension of rubber droplets in a watery serum concentrated and stabilized in such a way that the dry rubber content is between 60 and 70 per cent. C. A. O'Flaherty
The recent study from Harvard’s Ascherio got around this by looking at a massive archive of serum samples taken from people over 20 years. Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2022 In collaboration with the US Military, the research team examined data—collected from serum samples—from more than 10 million people on active duty in the US Armed Forces collected between 1993 and 2013. Jocelyn Solis-moreira, Health.com, 21 Jan. 2022 In the cohort, there were 801 members who developed MS and had banked up to three serum samples prior to their diagnosis. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2022 Blood serum samples for the study were obtained from eight participants one week after their second Moderna shot.BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2021 The serum samples were from four people who caught the disease after working in a copper mine in Yunnan province.Bloomberg.com, 21 Nov. 2020 The Dry Dock blowout bars aboard Virgin Voyages’ ships offer services exclusively using Kérastase products, so this serum can act as an extension of your vacation blowout, too. Kristin Corpuz, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2022 Tackle droopy eyelids and jowls with this liquid serum. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 24 Aug. 2022 This cica and vitamin C serum packs a powerful combo that brightens skin and restores moisture. Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 16 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
borrowed from Latin, "whey, wheylike fluid," of uncertain origin
Note: Latin serum has been conventionally linked with Greek orós, of identical meaning, and both compared with the Sanskrit verbal base sar-, allegedly meaning " flow" in Vedic texts (hence P. Chantraine in Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue grecque). More recently, however, this interpretation has been rejected, and sar- read as "run off"—hence Vedic Sanskrit ásarat "ran off," prasísarti "lets run, stretches, extends," not akin to sáraḥ "lake, pond" and related words, which describe still water. The Sanskrit etymon has been further compared with Greek hállomai "(I) spring, hop," Latin salīre "to jump" (see sally entry 2). If this is correct the Indo-European base is *sel-, and any connection to serum and orós impossible; these two words are left then without any certain etymology.