definitions

defective virus

n.

A virus particle that contains insufficient nucleic acid to provide for production of all essential viral components, thus infection is not produced except under certain conditions.

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Nearby words

discontented, discontinuance, discontinuation, discontinuation test, discontinue, defective virus, discontinuous, discontinuous variation, discopathy, discophile, discoplacenta
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.