# inoculate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɪˈnɒkjuleɪt/ · frequency rank #69,955

## Definitions
1. To introduce an antigenic substance or vaccine into something (e.g. the body) or someone, such as to produce immunity to a specific disease.
2. To safeguard or protect something as if by inoculation.
3. To add one substance to another.
4. To graft by inserting buds.
5. To introduce into the mind (used especially of harmful ideas or principles).

## Etymology
First attested in c. 1440; inherited from Middle English inoculaten (“to graft”), from Latin inoculātus, perfect passive participle of inoculō (“to ingraft an eye or bud of one plant into (another), implant”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from in- (“in”) + oculus (“an eye”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/inoculate