immunity

[ ih-myoo-ni-tee ]

noun

, plural im·mu·ni·ties.

1. the state of being immune from or insusceptible to a particular disease or the like.

   Antonyms: susceptibility

2. the condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to disease.
3. the ability of a cell to react immunologically in the presence of an antigen.
4. exemption from any natural or usual liability.

   Antonyms: liability

5. exemption from obligation, service, duty, or liability to taxation, jurisdiction, etc.:

   The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity when they arrested him for reckless driving.

   Synonyms: prerogative, liberty, license, franchise

   Antonyms: liability

6. Law. exemption from criminal prosecution or legal liability or punishment on certain conditions.
7. special privilege.
8. Ecclesiastical.
   1. the exemption of ecclesiastical persons and things from secular or civil liabilities, duties, and burdens.
   2. a particular exemption of this kind.

immunity

/ ɪˈmjuːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. See natural immunity, acquired immunity
   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
2. freedom from obligation or duty, esp exemption from tax, duty, legal liability, etc
3. any special privilege granting immunity
4. the exemption of ecclesiastical persons or property from various civil obligations or liabilities

immunity

/ ĭ-myo̅o̅′nĭ-tē /

1. 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.
2. See also acquired immunity

immunity

1. The ability of the body to resist or fight off infection and disease.

Other Words From

• hyper·im·muni·ty noun
• nonim·muni·ty noun plural nonimmunities
• self-im·muni·ty noun plural selfimmunities

Word History and Origins

Origin of immunity¹

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

See exemption.

Example Sentences

If reinfections are common, it might make it hard to ever reach herd immunity.

From Science News For Students

Another is how long the immunity from his first infection lasted.

From Fortune

Overall, it’s unknown how long immunity to the coronavirus lasts.

From Science News

They would be ideal for large wild populations because even just a few individual animals vaccinated with them could spread immunity widely.

From Quanta Magazine

It’s also not yet known exactly how long immunity to the coronavirus lasts.

From Fortune

What sets him apart from so many of his contemporaries was his rare immunity from the influence of prevailing ideas.

From The Daily Beast

The central issue is de facto immunity traditionally given to bishops and cardinals.

From The Daily Beast

A warrant was issued for her arrest along with her husband, who lost his immunity as he was now forced from office.

From The Daily Beast

Prior to her arrest, Johnson was living under partial immunity in Gent, Belgium, while a case was being built against her.

From The Daily Beast

However, the act that gives blanket immunity seems only to apply to licensed dealers.

From The Daily Beast

Violation of the immunity due to those who come with this mission, duly accredited, in the form prescribed by international law.

From Project Gutenberg

And the Christians claim this immunity from attack as a triumph of their arms, and a further proof of the truth of their religion.

From Project Gutenberg

The Swiss take precaution to protect themselves from their ravages as other folk do to procure immunity from floods.

From Project Gutenberg

The stage has continued to enjoy a species of traditional immunity from all the reprobation which swearing is presumed to incur.

From Project Gutenberg

Our closest imitation of natural immunity is vaccination against small-pox.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amnesty
• charter
• freedom
• impunity
• indemnity
• license
• prerogative
• protection