immunocompetence

noun

im·​mu·​no·​com·​pe·​tence ˌi-myə-nō-ˈkäm-pə-tən(t)s 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

: the capacity for a normal immune response

immunocompetent

ˌi-myə-nō-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 

i-ˌmyü-nō-

adjective

Examples of immunocompetence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This selects for lower resistance in males, ultimately leading to the counterintuitive situation where males with higher susceptibility or exposure to infection than females evolve lower immunocompetence... —Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 31 Mar. 2010

Word History

Etymology

immuno- + competence

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

immunocompetence

noun

im·​mu·​no·​com·​pe·​tence -ˈkäm-pət-ən(t)s 

: the capacity for a normal immune response

altered the immunocompetence of the lymphocytes

immunocompetent

-ənt 

adjective