vaccinia

noun

1. a variant of the cowpox virus that became established in vaccines derived from cowpox-inoculated humans.
2. Pathology. an acute infection caused by inoculation with vaccinia virus as a prophylactic against smallpox, characterized by localized pustular eruptions.

noun

1. a technical name for cowpox

n.

1. cowpox
2. An infection induced in humans by inoculation with the vaccinia virus in order to confer resistance to smallpox; it is usually limited to the site of inoculation.primary reaction