immunity
the state of being immune from or insusceptible to a particular disease or the like.
the condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to disease.
the ability of a cell to react immunologically in the presence of an antigen.
exemption from any natural or usual liability.
exemption from obligation, service, duty, or liability to taxation, jurisdiction, etc.: The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity when they arrested him for reckless driving.
Law. exemption from criminal prosecution or legal liability or punishment on certain conditions.
special privilege.
Ecclesiastical.
the exemption of ecclesiastical persons and things from secular or civil liabilities, duties, and burdens.
a particular exemption of this kind.
Origin of immunity
1synonym study For immunity
Other words for immunity
Opposites for immunity
Other words from immunity
- hy·per·im·mu·ni·ty, noun
- non·im·mu·ni·ty, noun, plural non·im·mu·ni·ties.
- self-im·mu·ni·ty, noun, plural self·-im·mu·ni·ties.
Words that may be confused with immunity
- immunity , impunity
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for immunity
/ (ɪˈmjuːnɪtɪ) /
the ability of an organism to resist disease, either through the activities of specialized blood cells or antibodies produced by them in response to natural exposure or inoculation (active immunity) or by the injection of antiserum or the transfer of antibodies from a mother to her baby via the placenta or breast milk (passive immunity): See also acquired immunity, natural immunity
freedom from obligation or duty, esp exemption from tax, duty, legal liability, etc
any special privilege granting immunity
the exemption of ecclesiastical persons or property from various civil obligations or liabilities
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
Scientific definitions for immunity
[ ĭ-myōō′nĭ-tē ]
The protection of the body from a disease caused by an infectious agent, such as a bacterium or virus. Immunity may be natural (that is, inherited) or acquired. See also acquired immunity.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for immunity
The ability of the body to resist or fight off infection and disease.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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