Noun: virulence vir-(y)u-lun(t)s
- (microorganism) extreme harmfulness (as the capacity of a microorganism to cause disease)
"the virulence of the plague";
- virulency
- Extreme hostility
"the virulence of the malicious old man";
- virulency
Derived forms: virulences
Type of: harmfulness, hostility, ill will, injuriousness
Encyclopedia: Virulence