Main Entry: vac·cine

Pronunciation: \vak-ˈsēn, ˈvak-ˌ\

Function: noun

Etymology: French vaccin, from vaccine cowpox, from New Latin vaccina (in variolae vaccinae cowpox), from Latin, feminine of vaccinus, adjective, of or from cows, from vacca cow; akin to Sanskrit vaśa cow

Date: 1813

: a preparation of killed microorganisms, living attenuated organisms, or living fully virulent organisms that is administered to produce or artificially increase immunity to a particular disease

— vaccine adjective