\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.

\In*oc"u*late\, v. i.
1. To graft by inserting buds.
2. To communicate disease by inoculation.