Vaccine Definition

văk-sēn, văksēn

vaccines

noun

vaccines

Lymph, or a preparation of this, from a cowpox vesicle, containing the causative virus and used in vaccination against cowpox or smallpox.

Webster's New World

Any preparation of killed microorganisms, weakened viruses, etc. that is introduced into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease by causing the formation of antibodies.

Webster's New World

A software program designed to detect and stop the progress of computer viruses.

American Heritage

(immunology) A substance given to stimulate the body's production of antibodies and provide immunity against a disease, prepared from the agent that causes the disease, or a synthetic substitute.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
vaccinum
toxoid

adjective

Of cowpox or vaccination.

Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Vaccine

Noun

Singular:

vaccine

Plural:

vaccines

Origin of Vaccine

From Latin vaccinus, from vacca (“cow") (because of early use of the cowpox virus against smallpox). Cf. New or Scientific Latin (variola) vaccÄ«na, or "cowpox".

From Wiktionary
From Latin vaccīnus of cows from vacca cow

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition