Main Entry: reo·vi·rus

Pronunciation: \ˌrē-ō-ˈvī-rəs\

Function: noun

Etymology: respiratory enteric orphan (i.e., unidentified) virus

Date: 1959

: any of a family (Reoviridae) of double-stranded RNA viruses that have a virion with icosahedral structural symmetry but may appear spherical, that have a capsid with one to three concentric protein layers, and that include many plant or animal pathogens (as the rotaviruses and the causative agent of bluetongue)