Sekirov Dictionary

virus

/ˈvaɪ.ɹəs/

noun 9
verb 1
forms 7

noun9

•
a tiny thing, smaller than a cell, that grows in number only inside living cells and can cause illness
- Viruses are the smallest and most simplified forms of life. — 2001
•
A species thereof.
- Some viruses, such as norovirus, cause sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis.
•
An individual particle thereof: synonym of virion.
- Under electron microscopy, a few viruses were seen floating near the cells.
•
A quantity of such infectious agents, considered en masse.
- Not much virus was detectable on a nucleic acid test; the viral load was very low.
•
A type of malware which can covertly transmit itself between computers via networks (especially the Internet) or removable storage such as disks by inserting its code into other executable files, often causing damage to systems and data; also computer virus.
- Wait a minute! Is this one of those virus emails?! — 2004
(nonstandard) Any type of malware.
•
(informal) A disease caused by such an infectious agent; a viral illness.
- He's got a virus and had to stay home from school.
•
(figurative) Any malicious or dangerous entity that spreads from one place or person to another.
- I am tired of the mind viruses that are crippling people living in the western world — especially in my own nation. Sadly, Australia is becoming known as a nation of whingers. — 2011
•
(no longer used) Venom, as produced by a poisonous animal etc.
- Brazil, that inferno where every budding flower and every buzzing bluebottle fly bears a lascivious virus. — 1890

verb1

•
(nonstandard, rare) To send or infect an electronic device with a computer virus.
- I'm just going to virus anyone who tries cheating on this game.

forms

virused · virusing · viruses · vira · viri · virii · virusses

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