Inoculation \In*oc"u*la"tion\, n. [L. inoculatio: cf. F. inoculation.]

1. The act or art of inoculating trees or plants.

2. (Med.) The act or practice of communicating a disease to a person in health, by inserting contagious matter in his skin or flesh.

Note: The use was formerly limited to the intentional communication of the smallpox, but is now extended to include any similar introduction of modified virus; as, the inoculation of rabies by Pasteur.

3. Fig.: The communication of principles, especially false principles, to the mind.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)