Letter V

Virulent

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Extremely noxious, damaging, deleterious, disease-causing (pathogenic).

Marked by a rapid, severe, and malignant course.

Poisonous, venomous.

The virulence of a microorganism is a measure of the severity of the disease it causes.

The word 'virulent' comes from the Latin 'virulentus' from 'virus' meaning a slimy liquid, particularly one that is foul and poisonous.

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