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

OTHER WORDS FROM virulent

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH virulent

violent virulent

Example sentences from the Web for virulent

British Dictionary definitions for virulent

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 virulent

virulent
[ vîryə-lənt, vîrə- ]

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.