acquired immunity

noun

, Immunology.

1. immunity arising from exposure to antigens.

acquired immunity

noun

1. the immunity produced by exposure of an organism to antigens, which stimulates the production of antibodies

acquired immunity

1. Immunity that is not inherited. Acquired immunity can be active or passive.
2. ◆ Active immunity results from the development of antibodies in response to an antigen, as from exposure to an infectious disease or through vaccination.
3. ◆ Passive immunity results from the transmission of antibodies, as from mother to fetus through the placenta or by the injection of antiserum.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquired immunity¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Pack a bunch of people with no naturally acquired immunity into one building five days a week, add a child’s complete lack of boundaries and you’ve got disease soup.

From FiveThirtyEight

For instance, knowing the minimum infectious dose could enable future, yet-to-be-approved challenge trials that try to test vaccine candidates, or determine whether new variants of the virus can dodge naturally acquired immunity.

From Science News

He demonstrated that “there is but one permanent element in natural or acquired immunity, and that is phagocytosis.”

From Project Gutenberg

In many acute diseases one attack protects the patient, for a time at least, from a second attack—acquired immunity.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes he had been ill but he had acquired immunity to certain poisonous plants that contained food values.

From Project Gutenberg

Unprotected by hereditary or acquired immunity, he contracted tuberculosis and faded away before our eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

In other words, it has acquired immunity against this particular germ and its toxin.

From Project Gutenberg