Nonimmunized

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A situation characterized by the absence of immunity to certain diseases due to lack of vaccination or prior infection A status marking individuals who do not possess antibodies for specific pathogens An identification for those who are at risk of infection due to non-vaccination
2. Lacking protection against infectious diseases because no vaccine has been administered or no previous infection has occurred
3. Being in a state where the immune system has not developed defenses against specific pathogens from immunization or natural exposure

Etymology: "Nonimmunized" is a plain English formation: the prefix "non-," meaning "not," attached to "immunized," the past participle of "immunize." The prefix comes from Latin "non," "not," and is productive in English, so it can be joined to almost any adjective or participle to mean the absence of the quality it names. "Immunize" itself builds on "immune," which comes from Latin "immunis," meaning "exempt from public service or duty." In that original sense, a Roman citizen exempt from certain obligations was "immunis." English later borrowed the idea and applied it to bodily resistance to disease. Adding "-ize" turns the adjective into a verb meaning to make someone immune, and the "-ed" ending marks the result of that action. Put together, "nonimmunized" describes a person or animal who has not received the protective treatment, such as a vaccine, that would make them resistant to a particular disease.

Synonyms: unvaccinated, susceptible, vulnerable, exposed, at risk

Antonyms: immunized, vaccinated, protected, safe, shielded