echovirus
[ek-oh-vahy-ruh s]
- any of numerous retroviruses of the picornavirus group, some harmless and others associated with various human disorders, as aseptic meningitis.
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Also ech·o vi·rus, ECH·O vi·rus.
Origin of echovirus
1950–55; echo- (acronym from enteric cytopathogenic human orphan) + virus; orig. termed “orphan” because they were not known to be the cause of any disease
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
echovirus
ECHO virus
- any of a group of viruses that can cause symptoms of mild meningitis, the common cold, or infections of the intestinal and respiratory tracts
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Word Origin for echovirus
C20: from the initials of Enteric Cytopathic Human Orphan ("orphan" because originally believed to be unrelated to any disease) + virus
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for echovirus
also ECHO virus, 1955, acronym for enteric cytopathogenic human orphan; "orphan" because when discovered they were not known to cause any disease.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
echovirus
(ĕk′ō-vī′rəs)- Any of a number of retroviruses of the family Picornaviridae, inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract and associated with various diseases, such as viral meningitis, mild respiratory infections, and severe diarrhea in newborns.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.