A vaccine derived from or utilizing cowpox virus, used to confer immunity to smallpox.
From bovis (cow) plus vaccine. This technical term refers specifically to vaccines developed from bovine (cattle) sources, particularly the groundbreaking smallpox vaccines of the late 1700s.
The word 'vaccine' itself means 'of or from a cow'—Edward Jenner called his smallpox vaccine 'vaccination' as a clever tribute to the cows that unknowingly saved humanity from one of history's deadliest diseases!
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