active immunity

American  

noun

Immunology.

1. immunity in an organism resulting from its own production of antibody or lymphocytes.

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active immunity Scientific  

1. See under acquired immunity

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Etymology

Origin of active immunity

First recorded in 1910–15

Compare meaning

How does active-immunity compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• active immunity vs. passive immunity

Example Sentences

Antibodies produced in the mother’s body are passed to the infant via active immunity through breast milk.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Naturally acquired active immunity, the response to a pathogen, is the focus of this chapter.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The production of antibodies by plasma cells in response to an antigen is called active immunity and describes the host’s active response of the immune system to an infection or to a vaccination.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Question is whether polio antibodies, inherited from the mother and conferring "passive immunity" for a few months, will interfere with the child's developing its own antibodies for lasting "active immunity."

From Time Magazine Archive

The methods of active immunity have been practically applied in preventive inoculation against disease; those of passive immunity have given us serum therapeutics.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various