virulence
NounUS[vir-uh-luhns]/ˈvɪrələns/3 syllables
Synonyms:
virulency
Open English WordNet
Noun (2)
- extreme harmfulness (as the capacity of a microorganism to cause disease)“the virulence of the plague”Synonyms: virulencyType of harmfulness, injuriousness
- extreme hostility“the virulence of the malicious old man”Synonyms: virulencyType of hostility, ill will
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ephemeranoun
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Vir′u·lence, Vir′u·len·cy noun
Origin: Cf. F. virulence, L. virulentia an offensive odor, a stench.
1. The quality or state of being virulent or venomous; poisonousness; malignancy.
2. Extreme bitterness or malignity of disposition. “Refuted without satirical virulency.” Isaac Barrow
The virulence of one declaimer, or the profundities and sublimities of the other.— Isaac Taylor
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54