inoculum

[ ih-nok-yuh-luhm ]

noun

, plural in·oc·u·la [ih-, nok, -y, uh, -l, uh].

1. the substance used to make an inoculation.

inoculum

/ ɪˈnɒkjʊləm /

noun

1. med the substance used in giving an inoculation

Word History and Origins

Origin of inoculum¹

1900–05; < New Latin, equivalent to inocul ( āre ) to inoculate + -um noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of inoculum¹

C20: New Latin; see inoculate

Example Sentences

“It’s very hard to sort out, but you wonder if increased inoculum of the virus is an extra factor,” he said.

From Washington Post

We’re putting forth a hypothesis that there’s a biological mechanism by which this could occur, where a lower viral inoculum leads to less severe illness.

From Nautilus

Masking and reducing the viral inoculum, getting less severe disease, resulting in more people having asymptomatic infection, is a good outcome.

From Nautilus

Flame the plugs, open the tubes, sterilise the platinum needle and charge it with the inoculum as in the previous cultivations.

From Project Gutenberg

Sterilise the platinum loop, and add two loopfuls of diluted inoculum to tube No. 2, and mix as before.

From Project Gutenberg

Add one loopful of the inoculum to tube No. 1, treating the liquefied medium as bouillon.

From Project Gutenberg

Should any drops of the inoculum be forced out, they will fall on the filter paper, which should be immediately burned.

From Project Gutenberg

Introduce the inoculum in the form of an emulsion by means of another pipette.

From Project Gutenberg