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capsid

1 American  
[kap-sid] / ˈkæp sɪd /

noun

Microbiology.
  1. the coiled or polyhedral structure, composed of proteins, that encloses the nucleic acid of a virus.


capsid 2 American  
[kap-sid] / ˈkæp sɪd /

noun

  1. plant bug.


capsid 1 British  
/ ˈkæpsɪd /

noun

  1. any heteropterous bug of the family Miridae (formerly Capsidae ), most of which feed on plant tissues, causing damage to crops

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

capsid 2 British  
/ ˈkæpsɪd /

noun

  1. the outer protein coat of a mature virus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

capsid Scientific  
/ kăpsĭd /
  1. The protein shell that surrounds a virus particle (known as a virion).

  2. See more at virus


Etymology

Origin of capsid1

1960–65; < French capside, equivalent to Latin caps ( a ) case 2 + -ide -id 1

Origin of capsid2

< New Latin Capsidae, equivalent to Caps ( us ) a genus (said to have been formed on Greek kápsis a gulping down; káp ( tein ) to gulp down + -sis -sis ) + -idae -id 2

Vocabulary lists containing capsid

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Our language model also identified a novel viral capsid protein that is widespread in the global oceans.

From Salon May 17, 2024

"Naturally occurring AAVs just aren't going to get you anywhere. This engineered capsid opens up a world of possibilities."

From Science Daily May 16, 2024

The result was the first atom-level look at the viral DNA packaging process and the structural properties and fluctuations when the DNA is fully contained in the capsid.

From Science Daily Mar. 7, 2024

They also found that the DNA organized itself into domains conforming to the topology of the capsid.

From Science Daily Mar. 7, 2024

Once the pore is open enough, the capsid is elastic enough to squeeze through.

From Science Daily Jan. 25, 2024

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