virulence
[ vir-yuh-luh ns, vir-uh- ]
/ ˈvɪr yə ləns, ˈvɪr ə- /
noun
quality of being virulent.
Bacteriology.
- the relative ability of a microorganism to cause disease; degree of pathogenicity.
- the capability of a microorganism to cause disease.
venomous hostility.
intense sharpness of temper.
Words nearby virulence
virtuous, virtuous circle, virtute et armis, virucidal, virucide, virulence, virulent, virulent bacteriophage, viruliferous, viruria, virus
Often vir·u·len·cy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for virulence
British Dictionary definitions for virulence
virulence
virulency
/ (ˈvɪrʊləns) /
noun
the quality of being virulent
the capacity of a microorganism for causing disease
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 virulence
virulence
[ vîr′yə-ləns, vîr′ə- ]
n.
The quality of being poisonous.
The capacity of a microorganism to cause disease.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cultural definitions for virulence
virulence
[ (vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh-luhns) ]
The capacity of a pathogen, such as a microorganism or toxin, to produce disease.
notes for virulence
“Virulent” substances or organisms are extremely pathogenic or toxic.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.