premunition

[ pree-myoo-nish-uhn ]

noun

1. Immunology. a state of balance between host and infectious agent, as a bacterium or parasite, such that the immune defense of the host is sufficient to resist further infection but insufficient to destroy the agent.

premunition

/ ˌpriːmjʊˈnɪʃən /

noun

1. med a state of immunity acquired as the result of a persistent latent infection

Other Words From

• pre·mu·ni·tive [pree-, myoo, -ni-tiv], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of premunition¹

1920–35; < French prémunition < Latin praemūnītiōn-, stem of praemūnītiō advance provisions for defense; pre-, munition

Word History and Origins

Origin of premunition¹

C15 (in the sense: to protect beforehand): from Latin praemūnitiō, from praemūnīre, from prae before + mūnīre to fortify