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.