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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.
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Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?
Often vir·u·len·cy .
Words nearby virulence
virtuous, virtuous circle, virtute et armis, virucidal, virucide, virulence, virulent, virulent bacteriophage, viruliferous, viruria, virus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
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
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.