IMMUNITY


Meaning of IMMUNITY in English

ə̇ˈmyünəd.ē, -ətē, -i noun

( -es )

Etymology: Latin immunitas, from immunis + -itas -ity

1.

a. : freedom or exemption from a charge, duty, obligation, office, tax, imposition, penalty, or service especially as granted by law to a person or class of persons

b. : a freedom granted to a special category of persons from the normal burdens and duties arising out of a legal relationship with other persons

legislative immunity

judicial immunity

2. obsolete : unrestrained license or an instance of it

3.

a. : lack of susceptibility (as to a natural hazard)

this alloy has complete immunity to rust

no one has assured immunity from error

b. : freedom from or security against something noxious or injurious

the long immunity of America from outside threats or dangers — D.W.Brogan

4.

[French immunité, from immun + -ité -ity]

: a condition of being able or the capacity to resist a particular disease especially through preventing development of a pathogenic microorganism or by counteracting the effects of its products — see active immunity , acquired immunity , natural immunity , passive immunity

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.