A low-
molecular weight molecule which contains an antigenic determinant but which is not itself antigenic
unless complexed with an anitgenic
carrier. Examples of haptens are dinitrophenols, phosphorylcholine and dextran.
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143
(Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992))
on page 156