In*oc"u*late (?), 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.
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; 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.
In*oc"u*late, v. i. 1.
To graft by inserting buds.
2. To communicate disease by
inoculation.