Origin: Latin prefix inter-
Interferon has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
an antiviral protein produced by cells that have been invaded by a virus; inhibits replication of the virus
"When my body detects the flu virus in my lung cells, those infected cells immediately release interferons to stop the virus from multiplying further."
Any of a group of glycoproteins, produced by the immune system, that prevent viral replication in infected cells.
"The doctor explained that interferon is the protein our body naturally produces to stop viruses from multiplying inside our cells."