vaccinia n 1: a local infection induced in humans by inoculation with the virus causing cowpox in order to confer resistance to smallpox; normally lasts three weeks and leaves a pitted scar [syn: {vaccinia}, {vaccina}, {variola vaccine}, {variola vaccinia}, {variola vaccina}] 2: a viral disease of cattle causing a mild skin disease affecting the udder; formerly used to inoculate humans against smallpox [syn: {cowpox}, {vaccinia}]
Vaccinia \Vac*cin"i*a\, n. [NL. See {Vaccine}.] (Med.) Cowpox; vaccina. See {Cowpox}. [1913 Webster]