virulent

 
Pronunciation: /ˈvɪrʊl(ə)nt, ˈvɪrjʊ-/

adjective

  • 1(of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects: a virulent strain of influenza the poison is so virulent that it kills a fish instantly
  • (of a pathogen, especially a virus) highly infective: Staphylococcus aureus is a common organism whose virulent strains are causing problems
  • 2bitterly hostile: a virulent attack on liberalism

Derivatives

virulence

noun

virulently

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (originally describing a poisoned wound): from Latin virulentus, from virus 'poison' (see virus)

Spelling help

Remember that virulent ends with -ent.