immunity
immunity Lexical Profile
immunity Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The biological ability of an organism to resist a particular infection, toxin, or disease through the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.
"Childhood vaccinations help build long-lasting immunity against several severe illnesses."
Official protection or exemption from an obligation, penalty, or legal prosecution.
"The key witness was granted legal immunity in exchange for testifying truthfully at the trial."
A general capacity to remain unaffected by something undesirable, harmful, or influential.
"Years of working in customer service gave her an apparent immunity to rude remarks."
• Rhymes for immunity
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed via Old French from Latin 'immunitas', meaning exemption from public service or taxation, from 'immunis' ('exempt'), combining 'in-' ('not') and 'munis' ('performing services', from 'munus', meaning duty or obligation). Its biological sense of resistance to disease developed in the late 19th century.