variola

variola Definition

va·rio·la (və rī′ə lə)

noun

any of a group of viral diseases characterized by pustular eruptions, including smallpox, cowpox, and horsepox

Etymology: ModL < ML, a pustule, prob. altered (based on L varius, various, mottled: see vary) < L varus, pustule, pimple: see varix

variola Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

virus: The variola virus DNA genome contains approximately 250, 000 base pairs in the form of about 200 genes.
protein: In the absence of three-dimensional structures for variola proteins, it should be possible to substitute those obtained from the highly similar vaccinia virus.

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