vicarious immunity

[vɪˈkɛəriəs ɪˈmjuːnɪti]
nounpl: vicarious immunities
imunidade vicária
1. In immunology, the passive immunity acquired by an organism through exposure to antigens presented by another organism or individual, typically without direct infection or vaccination
The newborn had vicarious immunity from maternal antibodies transferred through breast milk.
O recém-nascido tinha imunidade vicária dos anticorpos maternos transferidos através do leite materno.
2. In law and employment contexts, liability or responsibility assigned to an entity for the actions of another person acting on its behalf, particularly in employer-employee relationships
The employer was held to vicarious immunity for the negligence of its employees.
O empregador foi considerado responsável pela imunidade vicária pela negligência de seus funcionários.
In Brazilian and Portuguese medical contexts, 'imunidade vicária' is a standard term used in pediatrics and immunology. In legal contexts, both Brazil and Portugal use this term in employment law and tort law to describe situations where employers may be held liable for employee actions. The concept is particularly important in Brazilian labor law and Portuguese civil law traditions.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
passive immunityborrowed immunitytransferred immunitymaternal immunity
Antonyms / Antônimos
active immunitydirect immunitypersonal immunity

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
imunidade vicária
Standard medical and legal term used in both contexts
Portugal
imunidade vicária
Same usage as Brazilian Portuguese; consistent terminology in European Portuguese
Medical contexts (Brazil/Portugal)
imunidade passiva transferida
Alternative technical expression emphasizing the passive transfer mechanism

Related Words

antibodiesmaternal antibodiespassive transferimmunoglobulinvicarious liabilityherd immunity

Related Idioms & Phrases

benefit from vicarious immunity
acquire vicarious immunity through maternal transfer
vicarious liability claim
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