Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

virulent

 - 5 dictionary results

vir⋅u⋅lent

  [vir-yuh-luhnt, vir-uh-]
Use virulent in a Sentence
–adjective
1. actively poisonous; intensely noxious: a virulent insect bite.
2. Medicine/Medical. highly infective; malignant or deadly.
3. Bacteriology. causing clinical symptoms.
4. violently or spitefully hostile.
5. intensely bitter, spiteful, or malicious: a virulent attack.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME verulent < L vīrulentus, equiv. to vīr(us) poison (see virus ) + -ulentus -ulent

Related forms:
vir⋅u⋅lent⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. venomous. 5. vicious, acerbic.

Antonyms:
1. harmless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To virulent
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.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

virulent 
1400, in ref. to wounds, ulcers, etc., "full of corrupt or poisonous matter," from L. virulentus "poisonous," from virus "poison" (see virus). Fig. sense of "violent, spiteful" is attested from 1607.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vir·u·lent
Pronunciation: -l&nt
Function: adjective
1 a : marked by a rapid, severe, and malignant course virulent infection> b : able to overcome bodily defense mechanisms virulent pathogen>
2 : extremely poisonous or venomous : NOXIOUS
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

virulent vir·u·lent (vēr'yə-lənt, vēr'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.

  3. Intensely irritating, obnoxious, or harsh.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see virulent on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way