inoculation

In*oc"u*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. inoculatio: cf. F. inoculation.] 1. The act or art of inoculating trees or plants. 2. (Med.) Defn: The act or practice of communicating a disease to a person in health, by inserting contagious matter in his skin or flesh. Note: The use was formerly limited to the intentional communication of the smallpox, but is now extended to include any similar introduction of modified virus; as, the inoculation of rabies by Pasteur. 3. Fig.: The communication of principles, especially false principles, to the mind.

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