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vaccination

The origin and history of vaccination.

Etymology

Coined from "vaccinia" (cowpox), from Latin vacca ("cow"). The physician Edward Jenner introduced the term in 1798 after using cowpox material to protect people from smallpox.

Origin: Latin · First attested 1798

Class of 1798

vaccination first entered the language around 1798. Other words from the same year:

See the full Class of 1798 →
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Etymology: FreeDict original editorial.