Immunise

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To confer resistance against infections by either vaccination or natural exposure, thereby enhancing the body’s defenses against harmful agents
2. To enable an organism to develop immunity, either through vaccination or the introduction of pathogens, helping to prevent diseases
3. To cause an organism to become resistant to a specific infection or disease by stimulating its immune system

Etymology: "Immunise" is the British spelling of "immunize," and its story runs through French before reaching English. The root is the Latin "immunis," meaning exempt from public service or obligation, built from "in-" (not) and "munis" (serving, bound to duties). Over time the sense shifted from being exempt from burdens to being protected against harm, which is how "immune" came to describe bodily defence against disease. The French verb "immuniser" was formed by adding the suffix "-iser" (a verb-forming ending) to "immune." English took the French verb and then formed its own variant, so "immunise" is simply that French formation carried into English with a native-style ending. The meaning stayed close to the medical sense: to make a body resistant to infection, usually by stimulating its defences.

Synonyms: vaccinate, inoculate, protect, shield, fortify

Antonyms: infect, expose