immunity

/i'mju:niti/

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Explanation of the Word "Immunity"

Definition: "Immunity" is a noun that refers to the ability of a person or organism to resist or be unaffected by something. In medicine, it often means the body's ability to fight off diseases.

Usage Instructions:

• "Immunity" is often used in discussions about health, law, and protection from harm.
• It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly found in medical and legal discussions.

Examples:

1. Medical Context: "Vaccines help build immunity against certain diseases."
2. Legal Context: "The politician was granted immunity from prosecution for his testimony."

Advanced Usage:

• In scientific discussions, you might hear phrases like "acquired immunity" (which develops after exposure to a disease) or "innate immunity" (which is present from birth).
• "Immunity" can also be used metaphorically, for example, "She seems to have immunity to criticism, as she never gets upset when people disagree with her."

Word Variants:

• Immunize (verb): To make someone immune to a disease.

  • Example: "The doctor recommended that all children be immunized against measles."

• Immune (adjective): Describing someone or something that has immunity.

  • Example: "After the vaccination, he felt more immune to the flu."

Different Meanings:

1. Legal Meaning: Protection from legal action.

   • Example: "The witness received immunity, allowing him to speak freely."

2. Medical Meaning: The ability of an organism to resist disease.

   • Example: "Some people have natural immunity to certain infections."

Synonyms:

• Resistance
• Protection
• Exemption
• Safeguard

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• "Get a free pass" can be an informal way of saying someone is given immunity from criticism or punishment.

  • Example: "Because of his status, he seems to get a free pass on his mistakes."

• "Shield from" can also relate to the idea of immunity, meaning to protect someone or something from harm.

  • Example: "The law seeks to shield whistleblowers from retaliation."

Summary:

In summary, "immunity" is a versatile word used mainly in medical and legal contexts, referring to the ability to resist disease or the protection from prosecution.

Academic

Noun

1. an act exempting someone
   • he was granted immunity from prosecution
2. the quality of being unaffected by something
   • immunity to criticism
3. (medicine) the condition in which an organism can resist disease
4. the state of not being susceptible
   • unsusceptibility to rust

Synonyms

• exemption
• granting immunity
• resistance
• unsusceptibility