Main Entry:

vir·u·lence

Pronunciation:

\ˈvir-ə-lən(t)s, ˈvir-yə-\

Function:

noun

Date:

1621

: the quality or state of being virulent: as a: extreme bitterness or malignity of temper : rancor b: malignancy, venomousness <ameliorate the virulence of a disease> c: the relative capacity of a pathogen to overcome body defenses