acquired immunity

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n.

Immunity obtained either from the development of antibodies in response to exposure to an antigen, as from vaccination or an attack of an infectious disease, or from the transmission of antibodies, as from mother to fetus through the placenta or the injection of antiserum.

or adaptive immunity

immunity (active or passive, humoral or cellular) that is established during the life of an individual, as contrasted with innate or natural immunity. Such immunity is specific for the inducing agent and is marked by an enhanced response on repeated encounters with that agent. The key features are memory (see memory cell) and specificity.

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n

1. resistance to a particular disease (e.g., chicken pox) after recovering from that disease. 2. resistance to poisons or medications developed over a usually long period of gradually increasing exposure.