immunity means the state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; Protective resistance against disease. It carries an Arena rating of 1298, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, immunity ranks #2,820 of 17,052 for Most Ponderous Words, #5,896 of 17,052 for Best Fossil-Poetry Words, #6,249 of 17,052 for Most Elegant Words, #7,924 of 17,052 for Most Sublime Words.
immunity is pronounced /ɪˈmjuːnəti/.
Why “immunity” is a great word
A state of being insusceptible to something, such as a disease, legal duty, or prosecution. From Middle English immunite, from Old French immunité, from Latin immūnitās ("exemption from public service or charge"), from immunis ("exempt, free"). Unlike susceptibility, which denotes a porous vulnerability, or impunity, which is freedom from consequences already incurred, immunity is a prior shield. It is the quiet fortress of antibodies patrolling the bloodstream, the sovereign silence of a diplomat’s briefcase, the ancient stone untouched by moss—a granted reprieve, a boundary drawn and declared inviolable against the slow seep of time and touch.
Etymology
From Middle English immunite, from Old French immunité, from Latin immūnitās, in the legal sense; for the medical use see immunization. Equivalent to immune + -ity.
noun
- The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; Protective resistance against disease.e.g.“Some people have better immunity to diseases than others.”
- The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; An exemption from specified duties, such as payments or services.e.g.“Feudal privileges often included tax and other immunities.”
- The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; An exemption from prosecution.e.g.“The prosecutor offered the lieutenant immunity for all the crimes he would testify having known to be planned by the elusive drug baron.”
- The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; An exemption from penance.
- The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:; An exemption given to a player from losing or being withdrawn from play.e.g.“After winning the last round the player was granted immunity which allowed him to stay in the game even after receiving the fewest points.”
- A resistance to a specific thing.e.g.“Superbugs are bacteria that develop an immunity to antibiotics.”
Words closest in meaning
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