inoculate

Meaning

Verb

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

Origin

• From Middle English inoculate, from Latin inoculātus, perfect passive participle of inoculō, from in + oculus.