antivaccination
|an-ti-vac-ci-na-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.væk.səˈneɪ.ʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.væk.sɪˈneɪ.ʃ(ə)n/
opposition to vaccines
Etymology
'antivaccination' originates from the modern English combination of the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against') and 'vaccination' (from Latin 'vaccinus', from 'vacca' meaning 'cow').
'vaccination' was coined in the late 18th century from Latin 'vaccinus' (relating to cows), after Edward Jenner's use of cowpox; the prefix 'anti-' (Greek) was later attached in English to form 'anti-vaccination' and then the single-word form 'antivaccination' as opposition movements and discourse developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Originally 'vaccination' referred specifically to inoculation using material from cows (cowpox); over time it broadened to mean immunization by various methods. 'Antivaccination' initially described opposition to Jenner's cowpox inoculation and has evolved to mean opposition to vaccination in general.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
opposition to vaccination; the movement, stance, or sentiment against vaccines and vaccination programs.
Antivaccination groups have used social media to spread misinformation about vaccine safety.
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Adjective 1
relating to or expressing opposition to vaccination (used attributively: e.g., antivaccination beliefs, antivaccination campaign).
She expressed antivaccination views at the community meeting.
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Last updated: 2025/09/12 02:58