inoculate Definition

inoculate
verb inoculated, inoculating

1. medicine.
To produce a mild form of a particular infectious disease in (a person or animal), and thereby create immunity by injecting a harmless form of an antigen which stimulates the body to produce its own antibodies. Compare immunize, vaccinate.
Example: They were inoculated against smallpox
Thesaurus: immunize, vaccinate, inject.
2. biol.
To introduce a micro-organism, eg a bacterium or virus, into (a sterile medium) in order to start a culture, or into another organism, eg a rabbit, in order to produce antibodies to that micro-organism.
3. literary or old use
To imbue or instil someone, eg with ideas or feelings.

Derivative: inoculation
noun

An act of inoculating
Thesaurus: immunization, vaccination, injection, shot, protection.

Derivative: inoculative
adj

Derivative: inoculator
noun

Etymology: 15c: from Latin inoculare to implant.