immunity English · revision 15030

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1382|origins=la mūnis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪˈmjuː.nə.ti/, US /ɪˈmjuː.nə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|ymmunite]], probably [[bor|fro|immunité|t=privilege, inviolability]] and directly [[la|immūnitās|t=exemption from public service or charges]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|immūnis|t=exempt, free]] (see [[immune]]), from [[m|la|in-|t=not]] and [[m|la|mūnis|t=performing services]] (see [[common]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Exemption from a service, obligation, tax or law: 1382 in the OED, about 1384 in the Wycliffe Bible in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The exemption of the clergy and church property from secular authority is from 1513,^(OED 1989) and a particular privilege from 1538.^(OED 1989) Freedom from any natural liability is from 1592.^(OED 1989) The medical sense, protection from infectious disease, is from 1879, borrowed from French or German medical use.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Immune is from about 1440, meaning free or exempt.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1382 – exemption from duties.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1440 – immune, exempt.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1513 – church immunity.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1592 – freedom from a liability.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1879 – immunity from disease.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The ability of an organism to resist a disease or [[infection]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Exemption from normal legal duties, penalties or liabilities, as granted to diplomats.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The quality or condition of being immune.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[hyperimmunity]]

+ * [[nonimmunity]]

+ * [[immunize]]

+ * [[immuno-]]

+ * [[immunology]]

+ * [[herd immunity]]

+ * [[use immunity]]

+ * [[cell-mediated immunity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[immune]]

+ * [[common]]

+ * [[municipal]]

+ * [[communion]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}