Andromeda strain

American  

[an-drom-i-duh streyn] / ænˈdrɒm ɪ də ˌstreɪn /

noun

1. an infectious pathogen that mutates unpredictably into new forms and shows extreme resistance to destruction by conventional means.

---

Etymology

Origin of Andromeda strain

First recorded in 1970–75; after such a pathogen in a novel of the same name (1969) by U.S. author Michael Crichton (1942–2008)

Example Sentences

But while a few astronomers have suggested that bacteria and viruses may exist in or on comets, Stardust scientists aren't worried about a real-life Andromeda strain.

From Time Magazine Archive

My actual view is this: "Claims about letting loose an Andromeda strain are promoting public hysteria and may wreck a whole new field of research."

From Time Magazine Archive

He adds: "Those who claim we are letting loose an Andromeda strain are either hysterics or are trying to wreck a whole new field of research."

From Time Magazine Archive

The outbreak of an epidemic* can provoke a primal panic by raising the specter of a rampant "Andromeda strain."

From Time Magazine Archive

It was behaving like the fictional Andromeda strain.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston