| v. t. | 1. | To bud; to insert, or graft, as the bud of a tree or plant in another tree or plant. |
| 2. | To insert a foreign bud into; as, to inoculate a tree. |
| 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. |
| 4. | Fig.: To introduce into the mind; - used especially of harmful ideas or principles; to imbue; as, to inoculate one with treason or infidelity. |
| 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. |
| v. i. | 1. | To graft by inserting buds. |
| 2. | To communicate disease by inoculation. |