inoculate
[ ih-nok-yuh-leyt ]
/ ɪˈnɒk yəˌleɪt /
verb (used with object), in·oc·u·lat·ed, in·oc·u·lat·ing.
to implant (a disease agent or antigen) in a person, animal, or plant to produce a disease for study or to stimulate disease resistance.
to affect or treat (a person, animal, or plant) in this manner.
to introduce (microorganisms) into surroundings suited to their growth, as a culture medium.
to imbue (a person), as with ideas.
Metallurgy. to treat (molten metal) chemically to strengthen the microstructure.
verb (used without object), in·oc·u·lat·ed, in·oc·u·lat·ing.
to perform inoculation.
Nearby words
Origin of inoculate
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin inoculātus past participle of inoculāre to graft by budding, implant, equivalent to in- in-2 + -oculā- (stem of -oculāre to graft, derivative of oculus eye, bud) + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for inoculate
British Dictionary definitions for inoculate
inoculate
/ (ɪˈnɒkjʊˌleɪt) /
verb
to introduce (the causative agent of a disease) into the body of (a person or animal), in order to induce immunity
(tr) to introduce (microorganisms, esp bacteria) into (a culture medium)
(tr) to cause to be influenced or imbued, as with ideas or opinions
Derived Formsinoculation, nouninoculative, adjectiveinoculator, noun
Word Origin for inoculate
C15: from Latin inoculāre to implant, from in- ² + oculus eye, bud
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for inoculate
inoculate
mid-15c., "implant a bud into a plant," from Latin inoculatus, past participle of inoculare "graft in, implant," from in- "in" (see in- (2)) + oculus "bud," originally "eye" (see eye (n.)). Meaning "implant germs of a disease to produce immunity" first recorded (in inoculation) 1714, originally in reference to smallpox. After 1799, often used in sense of "to vaccine inoculate." Related: Inoculated; inoculating.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for inoculate
inoculate
[ ĭ-nŏk′yə-lāt′ ]
v.
To introduce a serum, a vaccine, or an antigenic substance into the body of a person or an animal, especially as a means to produce or boost immunity to a specific disease.
To implant microorganisms or infectious material into or on a culture medium.
To communicate a disease to a living organism by transferring its causative agent into the organism.
Related formsin•oc′u•la′tive adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for inoculate
inoculation
[ ĭ-nŏk′yə-lā′shən ]
The introduction of a serum, a vaccine, or an antigenic substance into the body of a person or an animal, especially as a means to produce or boost immunity to a specific disease.
The introduction of a microorganism or an agent of disease into an host organism or a growth medium.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.