viruses

vi·rus   (vī'rəs)    n.   pl. vi·rus·es Any of various simple submicroscopic parasites of plants, animals, and bacteria that often cause disease and that consist essentially of a core of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat. Unable to replicate without a host cell, viruses are typically not considered living organisms. A disease caused by a virus. Something that poisons one's soul or mind: the pernicious virus of racism. Computer Science A computer virus. [Latin vīrus, poison.]

virus

See computer virus.

virus 

Main Entry: vi·rus
Pronunciation: 'vI-r&s
Function: noun
1 a : the causative agent of an infectious disease b : any of alarge group of submicroscopic infective agents that are regarded either as extremely simple microorganisms or as extremely complex molecules, that typically contain a protein coat surrounding an RNA orDNA core of genetic material but no semipermeable membrane, that are capable of growth and multiplication only in living cells, and that cause various important diseases in humans, animals, or plants;also : FILTERABLE VIRUS c : a disease caused by a virus
2 : anantigenic but not infective material (as vaccine lymph) obtainable from a case of an infectious disease

virus vi·rus (vī'rəs)
n. pl. vi·rus·es

1. Any of various simple submicroscopic parasites of plants, animals, and bacteria that often cause disease and that consist essentially of a core of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat. Unable to replicate without a host cell, viruses are typically not considered living organisms.

2. A disease caused by a virus.

viruses
virus