/
ˈvɪrʊl(ə)nt,
ˈvɪrjʊ-/
adj.
- (of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects.
▸(of a pathogen, especially a virus) highly infective.
- bitterly hostile.
Derivative
- virulence n.
- virulently adv.
Etymology
ME (orig. describing a poisoned wound): from L. virulentus, from virus (see virus).