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virulence
[ vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh- ]
/ ˈvɪr yə ləns, ˈvɪr ə- /
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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.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Often vir·u·len·cy .
Words nearby virulence
virtuoso, virtuous, virtuous circle, virtute et armis, virucide, virulence, virulent, virus, virus chip, virusoid, vis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use virulence in a sentence
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
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.