World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesVirus
/ˈvaɪ.rəs/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
An infective agent that typically consists of a nucleic acid molecule in a protein coat, is too small to be seen by light microscopy, and is able to multiply only within the living cells of a host.
"The flu virus spreads rapidly during the winter months." - 2
A piece of code which is capable of copying itself and typically has a detrimental effect, such as corrupting the system or destroying data.
"His computer crashed because it was infected by a malicious email virus."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Latin word virus, meaning 'poison', 'slime', or 'venom', dating back to the late 14th century. By the late 19th century, the meaning evolved in medical science to describe an infectious agent smaller than bacteria, and later expanded in the late 20th century to include self-replicating malicious computer programs.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Virus"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Virus" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
virus
Transliteration: vi.ʁys
"Ce vaccin protège contre le virus de la grippe."
Virus
Transliteration: ˈviːʁʊs
"Das Computervirus hat das gesamte Netzwerk lahmgelegt."
virus
Transliteration: ˈvi.rus
"Il medico ha spiegato come si trasmette questo virus."
virus
Transliteration: ˈbi.ɾus
"Los científicos están investigando un nuevo tipo de virus."
vírus
Transliteration: ˈvi.ɾus
"O programa antivírus encontrou um vírus no sistema."
विषाणु
Transliteration: vishanu
"यह बीमारी एक खतरनाक विषाणु के कारण फैलती है।"
病毒
Transliteration: bìngdú
"科学家们正在实验室里研究这种病毒。"
바이러스
Transliteration: baireoseu
"컴퓨터가 바이러스에 감염되어 작동하지 않습니다."
ウイルス
Transliteration: uirusu
"手洗いはウイルス感染を防ぐ効果的な方法です。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsA secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
Placing the customer's needs, experiences, and preferences at the center of a business's philosophy, operations, and decision-making.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Virus"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.