\In*oc"u*la"tion\, n. [L. inoculatio: cf. F.
inoculation.]
1. The act or art of inoculating trees or plants.
2. (Med.) The act or practice of communicating a disease to a
   person in health, by inserting contagious matter in his
   skin or flesh.
Note: The use was formerly limited to the intentional
      communication of the smallpox, but is now extended to
      include any similar introduction of modified virus; as,
      the inoculation of rabies by Pasteur.
3. Fig.: The communication of principles, especially false
   principles, to the mind.