poxvirus

American  

[poks-vahy-ruhs] / ˈpɒksˌvaɪ rəs /

noun

poxviruses plural

1. any of a group of large, brick-shaped DNA-containing viruses that infect humans and other animals, including the viruses of smallpox and various other poxes.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• poxviruses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of poxvirus

First recorded in 1940–45; pox + virus

Example Sentences

These had been developed and stockpiled in the US and Europe, mostly in preparation for a potential bioweapon attack using a poxvirus.

From Salon • Aug. 16, 2024

The eradication succeeded thanks to an extensive vaccination campaign using another poxvirus, the aptly named Vaccinia virus.

From Science Daily • Feb. 5, 2024

Justice, in my mind, would be for your boss to have to go confess to the new gym owner that he passed along a potentially toxic candidate like a used tumbling mat covered with poxvirus.

From Washington Post • Mar. 9, 2023

The paper’s last paragraph almost read like a warning: “The consequence of changes in poxvirus genes whose products are no longer required in a new host or otherwise altered context is unpredictable,” the authors said.

From Science Magazine • Sep. 15, 2022

In past outbreaks involving this poxvirus, animals — especially rodents — have been the primary source of transmission to humans.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 19, 2022