vaccinia

[ vak-sin-ee-uh ]

/ vækˈsɪn i ə /

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noun

a variant of the cowpox virus that became established in vaccines derived from cowpox-inoculated humans.

Pathology. an acute infection caused by inoculation with vaccinia virus as a prophylactic against smallpox, characterized by localized pustular eruptions.

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Origin of vaccinia

From New Latin, dating back to 1800–10; see origin at vaccine, -ia

OTHER WORDS FROM vaccinia

vac·cin·i·al, adjective

Words nearby vaccinia

vaccinate, vaccination, vaccinator, vaccine, vaccinee, vaccinia, vaccinization, vaccinology, Vachel, Vacherin, vacillant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vaccinia in a sentence

For example, vaccinia immune globulin, or VIG, is stored and ready for the next person who becomes ill from smallpox vaccine.
Emory Will Wage High-Tech War on Ebola|Kent Sepkowitz|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The view that vaccinia is attenuated variola is well known, and has been extensively adopted by English physicians.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 421, January 26, 1884|Various
What has been termed generalized vaccinia is another form of irregularity.
A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I|Various
By vaccinating a person we inoculate him with vaccinia or cowpox.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley

British Dictionary definitions for vaccinia

vaccinia

/ (vækˈsɪnɪə) /

noun

a technical name for cowpox

Derived forms of vaccinia

vaccinial, adjective

Word Origin for vaccinia

C19: New Latin, from Latin vaccīnus of cows

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