papillomavirus

[ pap-uh-loh-muh-vahy-ruhs ]

noun

, plural pap·il·lo·ma·vi·rus·es.

1. any of several viruses of the family Papovaviridae, containing circular DNA, causing papillomas in various animals and responsible for human genital warts.

Word History and Origins

Origin of papillomavirus¹

papilloma + virus

Example Sentences

Much of this increase is due to human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that is also strongly linked to cervical cancer.

From The Daily Beast