immunity

[ ih-myoo-ni-tee ]

noun

, plural im·mu·ni·ties.

1. the state of being immune from or insusceptible to a particular disease or the like.

   Antonyms: susceptibility

2. the condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to disease.
3. the ability of a cell to react immunologically in the presence of an antigen.
4. exemption from any natural or usual liability.

   Antonyms: liability

5. exemption from obligation, service, duty, or liability to taxation, jurisdiction, etc.:

   The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity when they arrested him for reckless driving.

   Synonyms: prerogative, liberty, license, franchise

   Antonyms: liability

6. Law. exemption from criminal prosecution or legal liability or punishment on certain conditions.
7. special privilege.
8. Ecclesiastical.
   1. the exemption of ecclesiastical persons and things from secular or civil liabilities, duties, and burdens.
   2. a particular exemption of this kind.

immunity

/ ɪˈmjuːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. the ability of an organism to resist disease, either through the activities of specialized blood cells or antibodies produced by them in response to natural exposure or inoculation ( active immunity ) or by the injection of antiserum or the transfer of antibodies from a mother to her baby via the placenta or breast milk ( passive immunity ) See also acquired immunity natural immunity
2. freedom from obligation or duty, esp exemption from tax, duty, legal liability, etc
3. any special privilege granting immunity
4. the exemption of ecclesiastical persons or property from various civil obligations or liabilities

immunity

/ ĭ-myo̅o̅′nĭ-tē /

1. The protection of the body from a disease caused by an infectious agent, such as a bacterium or virus. Immunity may be natural (that is, inherited) or acquired.
2. See also acquired immunity

immunity

1. The ability of the body to resist or fight off infection and disease.

Other Words From

• hyper·im·muni·ty noun
• nonim·muni·ty noun plural nonimmunities
• self-im·muni·ty noun plural selfimmunities

Word History and Origins

Origin of immunity¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French immunite, from Latin immūnitāt-, stem of immūnitās “freedom or exemption from public charges or burdens.” See immune, -ity

Synonym Study

See exemption.

Example Sentences

Yet one daring idea would be to apply the concept of habituation to the relationship between cancer and immunity.

From Science Daily

Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, had been scheduled last week to rule on how the Supreme Court’s presidential immunity ruling would affect the case.

From Salon

A few weeks later, however, the US Supreme Court held in a separate case that presidents enjoy a degree of immunity from criminal prosecution for "official acts."

From BBC

That’s alarming, because 95% is generally considered the minimum to produce “herd immunity,” in which vaccination is so widespread that even the unvaccinated are protected from the spread of these diseases.

From Los Angeles Times

"An IFITM3 deficiency makes it easier for a low dose of virus to be infectious," said senior study author Jacob Yount, professor of microbial infection and immunity in Ohio State's College of Medicine.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• amnesty
• charter
• freedom
• impunity
• indemnity
• license
• prerogative
• protection