retrovirus

 
Pronunciation: /ˈrɛtrəʊˌvʌɪrəs/

noun

Biology
  • any of a group of RNA viruses which insert a DNA copy of their genome into the host cell in order to replicate, e.g. HIV.

Derivatives

retroviral

adjective

Origin:

1970s: modern Latin, from the initial letters of reverse transcriptase + virus