inoculate

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Inoculated p. pr. & vb. n. Inoculating ] [ L. inoculatus, p. p. of inoculare to ingraft; pref. in- in, on + oculare to furnish with eyes, fr. oculus an eye, also, a bud. See Ocular. ] 1. To bud; to insert, or graft, as the bud of a tree or plant in another tree or plant. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To insert a foreign bud into; as, to inoculate a tree. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Med.) To communicate a disease to (a person) by inserting infectious matter in the skin or flesh, especially as a means of inducing immunological resistance to that or related diseases; as, to inoculate a person with the virus of smallpox, rabies, etc. See Vaccinate. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

4. Fig.: To introduce into the mind; -- used especially of harmful ideas or principles; to imbue; as, to inoculate one with treason or infidelity. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Microbiology) To introduce microorganisms into (a growth medium), to cause the growth and multiplication of the microorganisms; as, to inoculate a fermentation vat with an actinomycete culture in order to produce streptomycin. [ PJC ]