vaccine

A substance given to stimulate a body's production of antibodies and provide immunity against a disease without causing the disease itself in the treatment, prepared from the agent that causes the disease (or a derivative of it; or a related, also effective, but safer disease), or a synthetic substitute; also, a dose of such a substance.

The process of vaccination; immunization, inoculation.

(historical) The material taken from cowpox pustules used for vaccination against smallpox.

(figurative) Something defensive or protective in nature, like a vaccine.

(figurative) A software program which protects computers against, or detects and neutralizes, computer viruses and other types of malware; an antivirus.

(no longer used) The disease cowpox, especially as a source of material for vaccination against smallpox.

(historical) Of, pertaining to, caused by, or characteristic of cowpox.

(historical) Of or pertaining to cowpox as a source of material for vaccination against smallpox; also, of or pertaining to such material used for vaccination.

(no longer used) Of, pertaining to, or derived from cattle.

(no longer used) Synonym of vaccinate (“to treat (a person or an animal) with a vaccine to produce immunity against a disease”).