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Definitions for Virus

[1] an ultramicroscopic (20 to 300 nm in diameter), metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacteria, plants, and animals: composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat, and, in more complex types, a surrounding envelope.
[2] Informal . a viral disease.
[3] a corrupting influence on morals or the intellect; poison.
[4] a segment of self-replicating code planted illegally in a computer program, often to damage or shut down a system or network.
[5] any of a group of submicroscopic entities consisting of a single nucleic acid chain surrounded by a protein coat and capable of replication only within the cells of living organisms: many are pathogenic
[6] informal a disease caused by a virus
[7] any corrupting or infecting influence
[8] computing an unauthorized program that inserts itself into a computer system and then propagates itself to other computers via networks or disks; when activated it interferes with the operation of the computer

Words related to Virus

illness, ailment, sickness, disease, infection, germ, microbe, microorganism, pathogen, bacillus

Words nearby Virus

virulence, virulent, virulent bacteriophage, viruliferous, viruria, virus, virus chip, virus keratoconjunctivitis, virus punctate keratoconjunctivitis, virus shedding, virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome

Origin of Virus

1590–1600; < Latin vīrus slime, poison; akin to ooze2

Other words from Virus

vi·rus·like , adjective
an·ti·vi·rus , adjective
viral adjective

Word origin for Virus

C16: from Latin: slime, poisonous liquid; related to Old English wāse marsh, Greek ios poison

Synonyms for Virus

ailment, disease, germ, illness, infection, microbe, microorganism, pathogen, sickness, bacillus