: a mild eruptive disease of the cow that is caused by a poxvirus (Orthopoxvirus cowpox) and that when communicated to humans protects against smallpox
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In 1796, English physician Edward Jenner successfully inoculated 8-year-old James Phipps against smallpox by using cowpox matter.—Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 Convinced by anecdotes of farmworkers who had contracted cowpox and not smallpox, Edward Jenner hypothesized the cowpox protected them.—USA Today, 6 May 2026 Biologists celebrate Edward Jenner’s cowpox vaccination.—Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026 In 1796, English physician Edward Jenner successfully inoculated 8-year-old James Phipps against smallpox by using cowpox matter.—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cowpox
: a mild eruptive disease of the cow that is caused by a poxvirus (Orthopoxvirus cowpox) and that when communicated to humans protects against smallpox