51Թ

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View synonyms for

inoculate

[ ih-nok-yuh-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

inoculated, inoculating.
  1. to implant (a disease agent or antigen) in a person, animal, or plant to produce a disease for study or to stimulate disease resistance.
  2. to affect or treat (a person, animal, or plant) in this manner.
  3. to introduce (microorganisms) into surroundings suited to their growth, as a culture medium.
  4. to imbue (a person), as with ideas.

    Synonyms: ,

  5. Metallurgy. to treat (molten metal) chemically to strengthen the microstructure.


verb (used without object)

inoculated, inoculating.
  1. to perform inoculation.

inoculate

/ ɪˈɒʊˌɪ /

verb

  1. to introduce (the causative agent of a disease) into the body of (a person or animal), in order to induce immunity
  2. tr to introduce (microorganisms, esp bacteria) into (a culture medium)
  3. tr to cause to be influenced or imbued, as with ideas or opinions
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌdzˈپDz, noun
  • ˈdzܱپ, adjective
  • ˈdzˌٴǰ, noun
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ·dz···پ [ih-, nok, -y, uh, -ley-tiv, -y, uh, -l, uh, -], adjective
  • ·dzu·tǰ noun
  • ԴDzi·dzu·t adjective
  • i·dzu·ٱ verb reinoculated reinoculating
  • -·dzu·e adjective
  • ܲi·dzu·e adjective
  • ܲi·dzu·t adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of inoculate1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin Դdzܱٳܲ, past participle of Դdzܱ “to graft by budding, implant,” equivalent to in- “in” + -dzܱ- (stem of -dzܱ “to graft,” derivative of oculus “eye, bud”) + -tus past participle suffix; in- 2
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of inoculate1

C15: from Latin Դdzܱ to implant, from in- ² + oculus eye, bud
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

So apparently putting Britain first – more spent on defence here, less spending overseas – will be seen by some as a way of inoculating themselves against the growing threat of Reform.

From

Yoga instructor Rudd likes to call attention to the area’s cowboy roots and remind participants that the site they’re on was once used to inoculate, disinfect and brand cattle.

From

For Bukele, he may be inoculating himself against Trump’s potential wrath by going overboard with gestures of cooperation and avoiding the tariffs and other sanctions that a number of other countries are facing.

From

They inoculate about 2,000 koalas a year through wildlife hospital trials and tack themselves onto development projects or research studies in the region that involve their capture.

From

“It’s almost a way of inoculating himself when he is surrounding himself with loyalists who have gone through similar travails.”

From

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Inoculate Vs. Vaccinate Vs. Immunize

What’s the difference between inoculate, vaccinate, and immunize?

In the context of medicine, inoculate, vaccinate, and immunize are often used in overlapping ways, and for good reason—they all involve introducing a substance (especially a vaccine) into a person’s body with the goal of preventing them from getting a particular disease.

Vaccinate is the most specific of the three terms, because it always involves introducing a vaccine, which usually consists of a small amount of a killed, weakened, or otherwise modified version of a disease (such as a virus or bacterium). While inoculate has other meanings outside the context of medicine, in modern healthcare it’s typically used interchangeably with vaccinate (though it’s used less commonly).

Immunize is slightly different—it means to provide immunity from a specific disease. While the goal of vaccinating someone is often to immunize them, not all vaccines provide permanent immunity. Some vaccines provide what amounts to long-term immunity, while others only lead to a temporary protection, after which the body “forgets” how to make certain antibodies. In these cases, a booster shot or dose is often required, consisting of a follow-up vaccination to boost or renew the protection gained from the earlier vaccination.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between inoculate, vaccinate, and immunize.

Quiz yourself on inoculate vs. vaccinate vs. immunize!

True or False?

Inoculate, vaccinate, and immunize can be correctly used in some overlapping ways.

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