immune

im-mune · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Resistant to a particular infection or toxin owing to the presence of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.

  2. 2.

    Not affected or influenced by something.

  3. 3.

    Protected or exempt from an obligation or penalty.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    immune system — the body's defense mechanism against disease
  • •
    immune response — the body's reaction to foreign substances
  • •
    immune to criticism — unaffected by negative feedback

Related words

Antonyms: liable, susceptible, vulnerable
See also: immunity, immunize, resistant
Synonyms: exempt, protected, resistant

Etymology

From Latin immunis ("exempt from public service, free from"), from in- ("not") + munis ("ready for service"). Originally used in a legal sense before acquiring its medical meaning.