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