acquired immunity

American  

noun

Immunology.

1. immunity arising from exposure to antigens.

---

acquired immunity British  

noun

1. the immunity produced by exposure of an organism to antigens, which stimulates the production of antibodies

---

acquired immunity Scientific  

1. Immunity that is not inherited. Acquired immunity can be active or passive.

2. ◆ Active immunity results from the development of antibodies in response to an antigen, as from exposure to an infectious disease or through vaccination.

3. ◆ Passive immunity results from the transmission of antibodies, as from mother to fetus through the placenta or by the injection of antiserum.

---

Etymology

Origin of acquired immunity

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acquired immunity

These broadly reactive antibodies likely represent a common mechanism of acquired immunity to severe malaria and offer novel insights for the design of a PfEMP1-based vaccine or treatment targeting severe malaria.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 20, 2024

Even people with acquired immunity from Kraken were unable to mount an effective immune response.

From Salon ● May 2, 2023

A vaccine is a biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 7, 2022

Still, the combination of acquired immunity through prior infection and vaccination — plus the refined boosters — have Mr. Biden hoping for a better winter this time.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 25, 2022

The Martians of fiction, when in a fair way to conquer the earth, succumbed before earthly microbes to which they were unaccustomed, against which they had not acquired immunity.

From A Poor Man's House by Reynolds, Stephen Sydney