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immunization

 - 7 dictionary results

im⋅mu⋅ni⋅za⋅tion

[im-yuh-nuh-zey-shuhn, i-myoo-]
–noun
1. the fact or process of becoming immune, as against a disease.
2. Finance. a method of protection against fluctuating bond interest rates by investing in securities having different yields and terms.

Origin:
1890–95; immunize + -ation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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im·mu·nize   (ĭm'yə-nīz')   
tr.v.   im·mu·nized, im·mu·niz·ing, im·mu·niz·es
  1. To render immune.

  2. To produce immunity in, as by inoculation.

  3. Law To grant immunity from prosecution: immunize a witness.

im'mu·ni·za'tion (-nĭ-zā'shən) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

immunization

The process of inducing immunity, usually through inoculation or vaccination.

Note: Frequently, schoolchildren are required by state law to be immunized against certain diseases. Because of such widespread immunization, many diseases that used to be fairly common, including smallpox, tetanus, and whooping cough, have become rare.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Financial Dictionary

Immunization

A strategy that matches the durations of assets and liabilities, thereby minimizing the impact of interest rates on the net worth.

Investopedia Commentary

For example, large banks must protect their current net worth, whereas pension funds have the obligation of payments after a number of years. These institutions are both concerned about protecting the future value of their portfolios and therefore have the problem of dealing with uncertain future interest rates. By using an immunization technique, large institutions can protect (immunize) their firm from exposure to interest rate fluctuations. A perfect immunization strategy establishes a virtually zero-risk profile in which interest rate movements have no impact on the value of a firm.

Also known as multiperiod immunization.

Related Links

Advantages Of Bonds

See also: Duration, Interest Rate, Reinvestment Risk, Risk

Investopedia.com. Copyright © 1999-2005 - All rights reserved. Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc.
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Financial Dictionary

immunization

A technique of investing in bonds such that the portfolio's target return is protected against interest rate fluctuations. Changes in returns at which cash flows can be reinvested are offset by changes in the value of the securities in the portfolio. See also bullet immunization.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: im·mu·ni·za·tion
Variant: also British im·mu·ni·sa·tion /"im-y&-n&-'zA-sh&n/
Function: noun
: the creation of immunity usually against a particular disease <immunization against smallpox>; especially : treatment of an organismfor the purpose of making it immune to subsequent attack by a particular pathogen
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Encyclopedia

immunization

process by which resistance to disease is acquired or induced in plants and animals. This discussion focuses on immunization against infectious diseases in vertebrate animals, specifically humans.

Learn more about immunization with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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