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.
⇒ 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.
© Webster 1913.