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virulence
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.

2 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. virulence
  2. virulency

vir·u·lence

noun \ˈvir-ə-lən(t)s, ˈvir-yə-\

Definition of VIRULENCE

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

  1. <I was surprised by the virulence of the criticism.>

First Known Use of VIRULENCE

1617

Related to VIRULENCE

Synonyms
acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, asperity, bile, bitterness, cattiness, corrosiveness, mordancy, tartness, acrimony, virulency, vitriol

vir·u·lence

noun \ˈvir-(y)ə-lən(t)s\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of VIRULENCE

: the quality or state of being virulent: as a : relative severity and malignancy <ameliorate the virulence of a disease> b : the relative capacity of a pathogen to overcome body defenses—compare infectivity

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