v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Inoculated p. pr. & vb. n. Inoculating ] [ L. inoculatus, p. p. of inoculare to ingraft; pref. in- in, on + oculare to furnish with eyes, fr. oculus an eye, also, a bud. See Ocular. ] 1. To bud; to insert, or graft, as the bud of a tree or plant in another tree or plant. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To insert a foreign bud into; as, to inoculate a tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Med.) 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. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

4. Fig.: To introduce into the mind; -- used especially of harmful ideas or principles; to imbue; as, to inoculate one with treason or infidelity. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Microbiology) 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. [ PJC ]

v. i. 1. To graft by inserting buds. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To communicate disease by inoculation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. inoculatio: cf. F. inoculation. ] 1. The act or art of inoculating trees or plants. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Med.) The act or practice of communicating a disease to a person in health, by inserting contagious matter in his skin or flesh, usually for the purpose of inducing immunity to the disease. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

☞ The use was formerly limited to the intentional communication of the smallpox, but is now extended to include any similar introduction of modified virus; as, the inoculation of rabies by Pasteur. The organisms inoculated are usually an attentuated form of the disease-causing organism, which may multiply harmlessly in the body of the host, but induce immunity to the more virulent forms of the organism. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

3. Fig.: The communication of principles, especially false principles, to the mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Microbiology) The introduction of microorganisms into a growth medium, to cause the growth and multiplication of the microorganisms. [ PJC ]

n. [ L.: cf. F. inoculateur. ] One who inoculates; one who propagates plants or diseases by inoculation. [ 1913 Webster ]