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.
RELATED WORDS
embitterment, fury, cynicism, malice, rancor, umbrage, pique, dudgeon, displeasure, irritation, gall, offense, annoyance, perturbation, wrath, spite, acrimony, exasperation, acerbity, passion
Nearby words
- virtuous circle,
- virtuously,
- virtute et armis,
- virucidal,
- virucide,
- virulent,
- virulent bacteriophage,
- virulently,
- viruliferous,
- viruria
Often vir·u·len·cy.
Origin of virulence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web 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
virulence
1660s (virulency attested from 1610s), from Latin virulentia, from virulentus (see virulent).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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.
virulence
[ (vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh-luhns) ]
The capacity of a pathogen, such as a microorganism or toxin, to produce disease.
Note
“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.