Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- the act or process of inoculating.
- an instance of inoculating.
mid-15c. in horticulture; 1714 in pathology, from Latin inoculationem (nominative inoculatio) “an engrafting, budding,” noun of action from past participle stem of inoculare (see inoculate).
n.
- The act or an instance of inoculating, especially the introduction of an antigenic substance or vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.
- The introduction of a serum, a vaccine, or an antigenic substance into the body of a person or an animal, especially as a means to produce or boost immunity to a specific disease.
- The introduction of a microorganism or an agent of disease into an host organism or a growth medium.
The introduction of an antigen into the body, usually by injection, in order to stimulate the production of antibodies to produce immunity to an infectious disease. (See immunization.)