Virus

/ˈvaɪrəs/ noun

A virus is a tiny infectious agent that can enter living cells and cause diseases in humans, animals, or plants.

From Latin “virus,” meaning “poison” or “slimy liquid.” Scientists later borrowed the word to describe infectious particles too small to be seen with normal microscopes.

📖 Full word page — etymology, 47 translations, audio 🔑 Get Free API Key — 50 lookups/day 📚 Read the Docs — integrate Word Orb