virulence

American  

[vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh-] / ˈvɪr yə ləns, ˈvɪr ə- /

Often virulency

noun

1. quality of being virulent.

2. Bacteriology.

   1. the relative ability of a microorganism to cause disease; degree of pathogenicity.

   2. the capability of a microorganism to cause disease.

3. venomous hostility.

4. intense sharpness of temper.

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virulence British  

/ ˈvɪrʊləns /

noun

1. the quality of being virulent

2. the capacity of a microorganism for causing disease

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virulence Cultural  

1. The capacity of a pathogen, such as a microorganism or toxin, to produce disease.

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“Virulent” substances or organisms are extremely pathogenic or toxic.

Etymology

Origin of virulence

1655–65; < Late Latin vīrulentia stench; virulent, -ence

Example Sentences

"These sugars are central to bacterial virulence, but they've been very hard to study," he said.

From Science Daily

The researchers plan to continue exploring how specific virulence factors identified in the study influence disease progression.

From Science Daily

This could allow them to acquire genes from frozen pathogens that confer antimicrobial resistance or greater virulence.

From Salon

They compared the genomes of EF-responsive and non-responsive strains and found that, in addition to iron acquisition genes, responsive strains had genes associated with virulence and capsule production specifically.

From Science Daily

That genetic twist would likely diminish H5N1’s virulence, experts predict, but no one can say how much less deadly it might become.

From Salon