virus

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A submicroscopic, non-cellular structure that consists of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded…

   A submicroscopic, non-cellular structure that consists of a core of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat, that requires a living host cell to replicate, and that sometimes causes disease in the host organism (such agents are often classed as nonliving infectious particles and less often as microorganisms).

   • Viruses are the smallest and most simplified forms of life.
   • Bats host many high-profile viruses that can infect humans, including severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola.
2. 2

   A quantity of such infectious agents, considered en masse.

   • Not much virus was detectable on a nucleic acid test; the viral load was very low.
   • Unless professionally inspected, they [plants] may also carry along unseen pests and diseases (particularly small insects and microbes such as virus or bacteria) whose populations might explode catastrophically in new locations.
3. 3

   A disease caused by such an infectious agent

   A disease caused by such an infectious agent; a viral illness.

   • He's got a virus and had to stay home from school.
4. ›+ 5 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Venom, as produced by a poisonous animal etc.

      • Brazil, that inferno where every budding flower and every buzzing bluebottle fly bears a lascivious virus.
   2. 5

      A type of malware which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks…

      A type of malware which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as disks, often causing damage to systems and data; also computer virus.

      • Wait a minute! Is this one of those virus emails?!
   3. 6

      Any type of malware.

   4. 7

      Any malicious or dangerous entity that spreads from one place or person to another.

      • I am tired of the mind viruses that are crippling people living in the western world — especially in my own nation. Sadly, Australia is becoming known as a nation of whingers.
   5. 8

      To send or infect an electronic device with a computer virus.

      • I'm just going to virus anyone who tries cheating on this game.

The neighborhood

• synonymvirus
• neighbormalware
• neighborantivirusComputing
• neighborcryptovirusComputing
• neighborphage
• neighborbacteriophage
• neighborvirophage
• neighboradenovirus
• neighboralphahypovirus
• neighborcachavirus
• neighborchuvirus
• neighborcytomegalovirus
• neighborenterovirus