reovirus

noun

reo·​vi·​rus ˌrē-ō-ˈvī-rəs 

plural reoviruses

: any of an order (Reovirales) 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 (such as the rotaviruses and the causative agent of bluetongue)

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reovirus

• desirous
• lathyrus
• osiris
• adenovirus
• baculovirus
• coronavirus
• enterovirus
• poliovirus
• antivirus
• herpesvirus
• parvovirus
• retrovirus

Medical Definition

reovirus

noun

reo·​vi·​rus ˌrē-ō-ˈvī-rəs 

: any of an order (Reovirales) 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 includes the orbiviruses and rotaviruses

reoviral

-rəl 

adjective