Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

virulent

 - 4 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
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