immune

[ ih-myoon ]

/ ɪˈmyun /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR immune ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

protected from a disease or the like, as by inoculation.

of or relating to the production of antibodies or lymphocytes that can react with a specific antigen: immune reaction.

exempt or protected: immune from punishment.

not responsive or susceptible: immune to new ideas.

noun

a person who is immune.

Nearby words

Origin of immune

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin immūnis exempt, equivalent to im- im-² + -mūnis; see common

Related formshy·per·im·mune, adjectivenon·im·mune, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for immune

With enough changing of the influenza RNA over time, the vaccine no longer provokes the “right” immune response.
When You Get the Flu This Winter, You Can Blame Anti-Vaxxers|Kent Sepkowitz|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But even she is not immune from the everyday misogyny of some players.
Is ‘Magic: The Gathering’ Immune to GamerGate Misogyny?|David Levesley|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It causes some of my cells to express Ebola proteins to illicit an immune response.
Why I Became an Ebola Vaccine Guinea Pig|Lizzie Crocker|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His immune system was so shot, I was asked to wear a surgical mask during the interview.
Beating Cancer & Dodging Israel's Bombs|Itay Hod|September 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But it is worrying that not even Congress is immune to this type of behavior.
Senate Pigs Called Kirsten Gillibrand 'Porky'|Olivia Nuzzi|August 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The wood-lice crept about or rolled themselves into balls, all unnoticed and immune.
Adventures and Enthusiasms|E. V. Lucas
That a reliable motor, one that is immune from involuntary stoppages, is absolutely essential to prevent accidents.
The Library of Work and Play: Mechanics, Indoors and Out|Fred T. Hodgson
They played under a glaring electric light in the heat of the day, yet they seemed cool, aloof, immune from bodily discomfort.
Gigolo|Edna Ferber
To make him immune from work and economy is to supply him a ticket—one way—to Matteawan.
Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great, Volume 11 (of 14)|Elbert Hubbard
American vines, are, however, immune and have been largely adopted.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 1|Various

British Dictionary definitions for immune

immune

/ (ɪˈmjuːn) /

adjective

protected against a specific disease by inoculation or as the result of innate or acquired resistance

relating to or conferring immunityan immune body See antibody

(usually postpositive foll by to) unsusceptible (to) or secure (against)immune to inflation

exempt from obligation, penalty, etc

noun

an immune person or animal

Word Origin for immune

C15: from Latin immūnis exempt from a public service, from im- (not) + mūnus duty

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

Word Origin and History for immune

immune

adj.

mid-15c., "free; exempt," back-formation from immunity. Cf. Latin immunis "exempt from public service, free from taxes." Specific modern medical sense of "exempt from a disease" (typically because of inoculation) is from 1881. Immune system attested by 1917.

Medicine definitions for immune

immune

[ ĭ-myoōn′ ]

adj.

Of, relating to, or having resistance to infection by a specific pathogen.

Relating to the mechanism of sensitization in which the reactivity is so altered by previous contact with an antigen that the responsive tissues respond quickly upon subsequent contact.