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virulence - 6 dictionary results

vir⋅u⋅lence

  [vir-yuh-luhns, vir-uh-]
Use virulence in a Sentence
–noun
1. quality of being virulent.
2. Bacteriology.
a. the relative ability of a microorganism to cause disease; degree of pathogenicity.
b. the capability of a microorganism to cause disease.
3. venomous hostility.
4. intense sharpness of temper.
Also, vir⋅u⋅len⋅cy.

Origin:
1655–65; < LL vīrulentia stench; see virulent, -ence
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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vir·u·lent   (vîr'yə-lənt, vîr'ə-)   
adj.  
    1. Extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous. Used of a disease or toxin.
    2. Capable of causing disease by breaking down protective mechanisms of the host. Used of a pathogen.
  2. Bitterly hostile or antagonistic; hateful: virulent criticism. See Synonyms at poisonous.
  3. Intensely irritating, obnoxious, or harsh.

[Middle English, from Latin vīrulentus, from vīrus, poison.]
vir'u·lence, vir'u·len·cy n., vir'u·lent·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Virulence

Vir"u*lence\, Virulency \Vir"u*len*cy\, n. [Cf. F. virulence, L. virulentia an offensive odor, a stench.]

1. The quality or state of being virulent or venomous; poisonousness; malignancy.

2. Extreme bitterness or malignity of disposition. "Refuted without satirical virulency." --Barrow.

The virulence of one declaimer, or the profundities and sublimities of the other. --I. Taylor.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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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 American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry: vir·u·lence
Pronunciation: 'vir-(y)&-l&n(t)s
Function: noun
: the quality or state of being virulent: as a : relative severity and malignancy virulence of a disease> b : the relative capacity of a pathogen to overcome body defenses —compare INFECTIVITY
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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virulence vir·u·lence (vēr'yə-ləns, vēr'ə-)
n.

  1. The quality of being poisonous.
  2. 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.
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