noun
inoculation
ih-nahk-yuh-LAY-shun/ɪˌnɑːkjuˈleɪʃn/
Controlled introduction of material that builds disease resistance.
The clinician gives the man an inoculation in his upper arm.
Etymology
Putting a bud or “eye” into another plant was the original image. This grafting term was applied to introducing disease material to prevent a more serious attack, and then to administering a vaccine.
In context
for the inoculation "took." It wasn't any worse than a light attack of the grippe,
More examples
- The clinic offers inoculations against several infectious diseases.
- Early smallpox inoculation used material from smallpox sores.
- Practicing with misleading claims provides an inoculation against propaganda.
Forms
inoculation · inoculations
inoculate verb — To introduce material that builds disease resistance.
Similar words
- vaccination
- Specifically uses vaccines; inoculation can involve other disease material.
- immunization
- Emphasizes developing immunity rather than the act of introducing material.