premunition

noun

pre·​mu·​ni·​tion ˌprē-myu̇-ˈni-shən 

1

archaic : an advance provision of protection

2

a

: resistance to a disease due to the existence of its causative agent in a state of physiological equilibrium in the host

b

: immunity to a particular infection due to previous presence of the causative agent

Word History

Etymology

Latin praemunition-, praemunitio strengthening of an argument to forestall objections, from praemunire to fortify in advance, from prae- + munire to fortify — more at munition

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

premunition

noun

pre·​mu·​ni·​tion ˌprē-myu̇-ˈnish-ən 

1

: resistance to a disease due to the existence of its causative agent in a state of physiological equilibrium in the host

2

: immunity to a particular infection due to previous presence of the causative agent