The virus
Example: Virus infects cells and replicates to spread disease
Definition
"The virus" refers to a microscopic infectious agent that invades living cells, replicating inside them and often causing disease. Viruses rely on host organisms to reproduce and can infect animals, plants, and even bacteria, making them central to many medical studies and treatments.
Etymology
The term "the virus" originates from the Latin word 'virus,' meaning 'poison' or 'slimy liquid.' Early scientists used this word to describe infectious agents smaller than bacteria. Did you know? The word originally conveyed the idea of something harmful or toxic before viruses were understood as distinct biological entities.
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"The virus" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - Medicine - (A1-C2) - set 1", containing 109 commonly used words.
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