immunity

noun

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.

1. The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:

   “Some people have better immunity to diseases than others.”

2. The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:

   “Feudal privileges often included tax and other immunities.”

3. The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:

   “The prosecutor offered the lieutenant immunity for all the crimes he would testify having known to be planned by the elusive drug baron.”

4. The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:

   “Nevertheless, his reason rebelled, and his sense of religion by no means allowed the justice of refusing the amiable, handsome, and wealthy Englishman, whom his sweet child preferred, and who was perfectly willing that the signora should enjoy all the liberty required by her conscience and her church, together with such sums as should, from time to time, purchase the prayers of the faithful, and all other immunities, so far as his fortune furnished the means.”

5. The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:

   “After winning the last round the player was granted immunity which allowed him to stay in the game even after receiving the fewest points.”

6. A resistance to a specific thing.

   “Superbugs are bacteria that develop an immunity to antibiotics.”