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immunity

[ ih-myoo-ni-tee ]
/ ɪˈmyu nɪ ti /
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See synonyms for immunity on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural im·mu·ni·ties.
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Origin of immunity

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French immunite, from Latin immūnitāt-, stem of immūnitās “freedom or exemption from public charges or burdens.” See immune, -ity

synonym study for immunity

4. See exemption.

OTHER WORDS FROM immunity

hy·per·im·mu·ni·ty, nounnon·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. 2022

Words related to immunity

amnesty, charter, freedom, impunity, indemnity, license, prerogative, protection, exoneration, franchise, invulnerability, liberty, release, resistance, right

British Dictionary definitions for immunity

immunity
/ (ɪˈmjuːnɪtɪ) /
noun plural -ties
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

Medical definitions for immunity

immunity
[ ĭ-myōō′nĭ-tē ]
n.
The quality or condition of being immune.
Inherited, acquired, or induced resistance to infection by a specific pathogen.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for immunity

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

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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