virulence Hear it!

virulence definition

viru·lence (vir′yo̵o ləns, -o̵o-)

noun

  1. the quality of being virulent, or very poisonous, noxious, malignant, etc.
  2. bitter animosity; venom; rancor
  3. the relative infectiousness of a microorganism causing disease

Etymology: LL virulentia

Also virulency vir′u·lency (-lən sē)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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