Lexic.us

Definition of Virus

1. Noun. (virology) ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts; many are pathogenic; a piece of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a thin coat of protein.

2. Noun. A harmful or corrupting agency. "The virus of jealousy is latent in everyone"

3. Noun. A software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer. "A true virus cannot spread to another computer without human assistance"

Definition of Virus

1. n. Contagious or poisonous matter, as of specific ulcers, the bite of snakes, etc.; -- applied to organic poisons.

2. n. Contagious or poisonous matter, as of specific ulcers, the bite of snakes, etc.; -- applied to organic poisons.

Definition of Virus

1. Noun. (archaic) Venom, as produced by a poisonous animal etc. ¹

2. Noun. (pathology microbiology virology) A submicroscopic infectious organism, now understood to be a non-cellular structure consisting of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat. It requires a living cell to replicate, and often causes disease in the host organism. ¹

3. Noun. (computing) A computer virus. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Virus

1. any of a class of submicroscopic pathogens [n -ES]

Medical Definition of Virus

1. Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites of living but noncellular nature, consisting of DNA or RNA and a protein coat. They range in diameter from 20-300nm. Class I viruses (Baltimore classification) have double stranded DNA as their genome. Class II have a single stranded DNA genome. Class III have a double stranded RNA genome. Class IV have a positive single stranded RNA genome, the genome itself acting as mRNA. Class V have a negative single stranded RNA genome used as a template for mRNA synthesis. Class VI have a positive single stranded RNA genome but with a DNA intermediate not only in replication but also in mRNA synthesis. The majority of viruses are recognised by the diseases they cause in plants, animals and prokaryotes. Viruses of prokaryotes are known as bacteriophages. (13 Oct 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Virus

virucides virucopria virulence virulences virulencies virulency virulent virulent bacteriophage virulent bubo virulent phage mutant

virulented virulently virulentness viruliferous viruria virus (current term) virus-transformed cell virus A hepatitis virus B hepatitis virus C hepatitis

virus III of rabbits virus X disease virus activating protease virus activation virus blockade virus diseases virus hepatitis virus hepatitis of ducks

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