virulent

[ vir-yuh-luhnt, vir-uh- ]
/ ˈvɪr yə lənt, ˈvɪr ə- /

adjective

actively poisonous; intensely noxious: a virulent insect bite.
Medicine/Medical. highly infective; malignant or deadly.
Bacteriology. causing clinical symptoms.
violently or spitefully hostile.
intensely bitter, spiteful, or malicious: a virulent attack.

Origin of virulent

1350–1400; Middle English verulent < Latin vīrulentus, equivalent to vīr(us) poison (see virus) + -ulentus -ulent

SYNONYMS FOR virulent

1 venomous.
5 vicious, acerbic.

ANTONYMS FOR virulent

1 harmless.

OTHER WORDS FROM virulent

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH virulent

violent virulent

Words nearby virulent

virtuous circle, virtute et armis, virucidal, virucide, virulence, virulent, virulent bacteriophage, viruliferous, viruria, virus, virus chip

British Dictionary definitions for hypervirulent

virulent
/ (ˈvɪrʊlənt) /

adjective

  1. (of a microorganism) extremely infective
  2. (of a disease) having a rapid course and violent effect
extremely poisonous, injurious, etc
extremely bitter, hostile, etc

Derived forms of virulent

virulently, adverb

Word Origin for virulent

C14: from Latin vīrulentus full of poison, from vīrus poison; see virus

Medical definitions for hypervirulent

virulent
[ vîr′yə-lənt, vîr′ə- ]

adj.

Extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous. Used of a disease or toxin.
Capable of causing disease by breaking down protective mechanisms of the host. Used of a pathogen.
Intensely irritating, obnoxious, or harsh.