D defs.my
Entry 7 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Inoculate

/ĭnˌ-äk'-yəl-ātˌ/ · In·oc·u·late · IPA /ɪˈnɑːkjuleɪt/
01 v. t. To bud; to insert, or graft, as the bud of a tree or plant in another tree or plant.
imp. & p. p. Inoculated; p. pr. & vb. n. Inoculating
  1. 1.
    To bud; to insert, or graft, as the bud of a tree or plant in another tree or plant.
  2. 2.
    To insert a foreign bud into; as, to inoculate a tree.
  3. 3.
    To communicate a disease to (a person) by inserting infectious matter in the skin or flesh, especially as a means of inducing immunological resistance to that or related diseases; as, to inoculate a person with the virus of smallpox, rabies, etc. See Vaccinate.(Med.) See: Vaccinate
  4. 4.
    Fig.: To introduce into the mind; -- used especially of harmful ideas or principles; to imbue; as, to inoculate one with treason or infidelity.
  5. 5.
    To introduce microorganisms into (a growth medium), to cause the growth and multiplication of the microorganisms; as, to inoculate a fermentation vat with an actinomycete culture in order to produce streptomycin.(Microbiology)
02 v. i. To graft by inserting buds.
  1. 1.
    To graft by inserting buds.
  2. 2.
    To communicate disease by inoculation.