immune

[ ih-myoon ]

adjective

1. protected from a disease or the like, as by inoculation or by having the necessary antibodies due to a previous infection (often followed by to ):

   Most adults in the study were immune to yellow fever due to previous vaccination.

   Since I had already had measles, I assumed I was immune.

2. of or relating to the production of antibodies or lymphocytes that can react with a specific antigen:

   Crohn's disease is an abnormal immune reaction that causes the immune system to attack cells in the lining of the digestive tract.

3. exempt or protected:

   He thought being rich made him immune from punishment, but he went to jail for his crimes.

4. not responsive or susceptible:

   Over time writers are supposed to grow immune to criticism and let bad reviews roll off our backs.

   You're certainly highly resistant to argument, and also immune to new ideas.

noun

1. a person who is immune.

immune

/ ɪˈmjuːn /

adjective

1. protected against a specific disease by inoculation or as the result of innate or acquired resistance
2. relating to or conferring immunity See antibody

   an immune body

3. usually postpositivefoll byto unsusceptible (to) or secure (against)

   immune to inflation

4. exempt from obligation, penalty, etc

noun

1. an immune person or animal

Other Words From

• hy·per·im·mune adjective
• non·im·mune adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of immune¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin immūnis “exempt,” from im- im- ² + -mūnis ( common )

Word History and Origins

Origin of immune¹

C15: from Latin immūnis exempt from a public service, from im- (not) + mūnus duty

Example Sentences

Immunotherapy is a promising treatment that recruits the immune system to help fight cancer, but it has had limited success in gastrointestinal cancers.

From Science Daily

A long-standing question therefore has been whether the immune system can generate antibodies -- proteins that recognise and neutralise specific pathogens -- that can target the wide variety of PfEMP1 types in circulation.

From Science Daily

In a flurry of announcements, the formation of the human skeleton and the early immune system have also been mapped out in detail.

From BBC

Two of these subtypes have the ability to influence the immune system, but in different ways.

From Science Daily

The preparations, as Zeldovich notes, often contain remains of vanquished bacteria that, when injected, inflame the immune system and put the patient at risk.

From Salon

Related Words

• exempt
• resistant
• unaffected