immunostimulating
|im-mu-no-stim-u-lat-ing|
🇺🇸
/ɪˌmjuːnoʊˈstɪmjəleɪt/
🇬🇧
/ɪˌmjuː.nəʊˈstɪm.jʊ.leɪt/
(immunostimulate)
boost the immune system
Etymology
'immunostimulating' originates from a combination of the prefix 'immuno-' and the verb 'stimulate'. 'Immuno-' derives from Latin 'immunis' (meaning 'exempt' or 'safe from'), and 'stimulate' derives from Latin 'stimulus'/'stimulare' (meaning 'goad' or 'urge on').
'immune' came into English from Latin 'immunis' (via Old French/Medieval Latin influences), and 'stimulate' came from Latin 'stimulare' through Late Latin/Medieval usage into modern English; the combined scientific formation 'immunostimulate' and related forms (e.g. 'immunostimulating') developed in 20th-century medical and immunology literature.
Initially elements like 'stimulus' meant 'goad' or 'something that provokes action'; over time, combined forms such as 'immunostimulating' evolved to mean specifically 'boosting or activating the immune system' in medical contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
present-participle form of 'immunostimulate'; acting to stimulate the immune system (used in progressive constructions).
By targeting dendritic cells, the therapy is immunostimulating the patient's immune response.
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Adjective 1
causing or enhancing stimulation of the immune system; boosting immune responses.
The vaccine contains immunostimulating components that enhance antibody production.
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Last updated: 2025/12/17 15:02