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coronavirus

[ kuh-roh-nuh-vahy-ruh s ]
/ kəˈroʊ nəˌvaɪ rəs /

noun, plural co·ro·na·vi·rus·es.

any of various RNA-containing spherical viruses of the family Coronaviridae, including several that cause acute respiratory illnesses.

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Origin of coronavirus

First recorded in 1965–70; so called from the coronalike array of spikes projecting from the capsid

Words nearby coronavirus

coronary vein, coronary-care unit, coronate, coronation, coronation chicken, coronavirus, coroner, coronet, coroneted, coronitis, coronium
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

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Example sentences from the Web for coronavirus

British Dictionary definitions for coronavirus

coronavirus
/ (kəˈrəʊnəˌvaɪrəs) /

noun

a type of airborne virus accounting for 10-30% of all colds

Word Origin for coronavirus

C20: so-called because of their corona-like appearance in electron micrographs
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

Medical definitions for coronavirus

coronavirus
[ kə-rō′nə-vī′rəs ]

n.

Any of various single-stranded, RNA-containing viruses that cause respiratory infection in humans and resemble a crown when viewed under an electron microscope because of their petal-shaped projections.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.