| inoculate | 1. To graft by inserting buds. 2. To communicate disease by inoculation. 1. To bud; to insert, or graft, as the bud of a tree or plant in another tree or plant. 2. To insert a foreign bud into; as, to inoculate a tree. 3. <medicine> To communicate a disease to (a person) by inserting infectious matter in the skin or flesh; as, to inoculate a person with the virus of smallpox,rabies, etc. See Vaccinate. 4. To introduce into the mind; used especially of harmful ideas or principles; to imbue; as, to inoculate one with treason or infidelity. Origin: L. Inoculatus, p.p. Of inoculare to ingraft; pref. In- in,on + oculare to furnish with eyes, fr. Oculus an eye, also, a bud. See Ocular. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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