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
OTHER WORDS FROM virulent
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH virulent
violent virulentWords nearby virulent
Example sentences from the Web for virulent
British Dictionary definitions for virulent
virulent
/ (ˈvɪrʊlənt) /
adjective
- (of a microorganism) extremely infective
- (of a disease) having a rapid course and violent effect
extremely poisonous, injurious, etc
extremely bitter, hostile, etc
Derived forms of virulent
virulently, adverbWord Origin for virulent
C14: from Latin
vīrulentus full of poison, from
vīrus poison; see
virus
Medical definitions for virulent
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.