passive immunity

passive immunity

n.

Immunity acquired by the transfer of antibodies from another individual, as through injection or placental transfer to a fetus.

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passive immunization n.

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passive immunity  (psv)

See under acquired immunity.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

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) 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