inoculant

/ɪˈnɒkjʊlənt/

Definitions

1. noun

An agent or substance capable of inducing immunity to a disease or a microorganism.

“The doctor explained that the vaccine was the inoculant that would protect the child from the deadly virus.”

2. verb

To make (an organism or tissue) immune to a specific disease or agent.

“The researchers inoculated the mice with a weakened form of the virus to test the efficacy of the new treatment.”

Synonyms

  • antidote
  • serum
  • vaccine

Antonyms

  • contagion
  • pathogen