immunity
UK[ɪˈmjuːnəti]US[ɪˈmjuːnəti]
n
The body's ability to avoid or not be affected by infection and disease.
n
Special protection from legal action, duty, or penalty.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
mun
ity
im
not
mun
service, duty
ity
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'immunity' originates from the Latin legal term immunitas, which described an exemption from public service or financial burdens granted to certain individuals or cities. This Latin term was built from the prefix in- (meaning "not") and munus (meaning "service, duty, or gift"). The core concept of being "free from a shared duty" was later applied in medicine during the 19th century. The biological sense evolved by analogy: just as a person with legal immunity is exempt from civic duties, a body with biological immunity is exempt or protected from the "duty" of succumbing to disease.
Analysis
Structure: im (not) + mun (service, duty) + ity (noun suffix)
- im: Latin prefix, a form of 'in-' meaning "not, without".
- mun: From Latin root munis, meaning "service, duty, function; a gift or service performed for the community".
- ity: Latin noun-forming suffix -itas, indicating a state or condition.
Examples
Vaccination helps to build immunity against the virus.
Diplomatic immunity protects ambassadors from prosecution in the host country.
The witness was granted immunity in exchange for her testimony.