Vaccine

Pronunciation

• IPA: /vækˈsiːn/, also

Origin

From Latin vaccinus, from vacca ("cow") (because of early use of the cowpox virus against smallpox). Compare New Latin variola vaccīna, "cowpox".

Full definition of vaccine

Noun

1. (immunology) A substance given to stimulate the body's production of antibodies and provide immunity against a disease, prepared from the agent that causes the disease, or a synthetic substitute.

Related terms

• immunization
• inoculation
• vaccinate
• vaccination