immunity
nouncommon in dialogue
- //ɪˈmjuːnəti//
The state of being insusceptible to something; notably: Protective resistance against disease.
noun
- 1
The state of being insusceptible to something; notably: Protective resistance against disease.
Some people have better immunity to diseases than others.
- 2
The state of being insusceptible to something; notably: An exemption from specified duties, such as payments or services.
Feudal privileges often included tax and other immunities.
- 3
The state of being insusceptible to something; notably: An exemption from prosecution.
The prosecutor offered the lieutenant immunity for all the crimes he would testify having known to be planned by the elusive drug baron.
- 4
The state of being insusceptible to something; notably: An exemption from penance.
- 5
The state of being insusceptible to something; notably: An exemption given to a player from losing or being withdrawn from play.
After winning the last round the player was granted immunity which allowed him to stay in the game even after receiving the fewest points.
- 6
A resistance to a specific thing.
Superbugs are bacteria that develop an immunity to antibiotics.
Etymology
From Middle English immunite, from Old French immunité, from Latin immūnitās, in the legal sense; for the medical use see immunization. Equivalent to immune + -ity. Displaced native Old English frēols (“privilege, immunity”).
Forms
- plural
- immunities
immunity · The state of being insusceptible to something; notably: Protective resistance against disease.
impact · The striking of one body against another; collision.impaired · Rendered less effective.impartial · Treating all parties, rivals, or disputants equally; not…