vaccine
vaccine Lexical Profile
vaccine Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A biological preparation that provides active acquired immunity to a particular infectious disease, typically containing an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism.
"The researchers worked around the clock in the laboratory to develop an effective vaccine for the novel viral strain."
Anything that provides protection or immunity against a harmful influence or pervasive societal problem (used figuratively).
"Proper education and critical thinking skills are often seen as a vaccine against misinformation."
• Rhymes for vaccine
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in 1798 by British physician Edward Jenner from the Latin 'vaccinus' meaning 'of or from a cow' (from 'vacca', cow). He used the term to describe the cowpox virus ('Variolae vaccinae'), which he famously used to immunize humans against smallpox.