acquired immunity

acquired immunity

n.

Immunity obtained either from the development of antibodies in response to exposure to an antigen, as from vaccination or an attack of an infectious disease, or from the transmission of antibodies, as from mother to fetus through the placenta or the injection of antiserum.

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acquired immunity

Immunity that is not inherited. Acquired immunity can be active or passive. Active immunity results from the development of antibodies in response to an antigen, as from exposure to an infectious disease or through vaccination. Passive immunity results from the transmission of antibodies, as from mother to fetus through the placenta or by the injection of antiserum.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

acquired immunity - immunity to a particular disease that is not innate but has been acquired during life; immunity can be acquired by the development of antibodies after an attack of an infectious disease or by a pregnant mother passing antibodies through the placenta to a fetus or by vaccination immunity, resistance - (medicine) the condition in which an organism can resist disease active immunity - a form of acquired immunity in which the body produces its own antibodies against disease-causing antigens passive immunity - an impermanent form of acquired immunity in which antibodies against a disease are acquired naturally (as through the placenta to an unborn child) or artificially (as by injection of antiserum)