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virulent
virulent definition
viru·lent (-lənt)
adjective
- extremely poisonous or injurious; deadly
- bitterly antagonistic or spiteful; full of hate and enmity; venomous; rancorous
- Med.
- violent and rapid in its course; highly malignant: said of a disease
- able to overcome the natural defenses of the host; highly infectious: said of a microorganism
Etymology: ME < L virulentus, full of poison < virus: see virus
Related Forms:
- virulently vir′u·lently adverb
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