immunity

Etymology

From Middle English immunite, from Old French immunité, from Latin immunitas, in the legal sense; for the medical use see immunization.

noun

1. (uncountable) The state of being insusceptible to something; notably:
   1. (medicine) Protective resistance against disease.
      Some people have better immunity to diseases than others.
   2. (law) An exemption from specified duties, such as payments or services.
      Feudal privileges often included tax and other immunities.
   3. (law) An exemption from prosecution.
      The prosecutor offered the lieutenant immunity for all the crimes he would testify having known to be planned by the elusive drug baron.
   4. (religion) An exemption from penance.
   5. (in games and competitions) An exemption given to a player from losing or being withdrawn from play.
      After winning the last round the player was granted immunity which allowed him to stay in the game even after receiving the fewest points.
2. (countable) A resistance to a specific thing.
   Superbugs are bacteria that develop an immunity to antibiotics.