VIRUS

virus. Virus, n. foul matter from ulcers, poison

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Vi″rus (?), n. [[L., a slimy liquid, a poisonous liquid, poison, stench; akin to Gr. � poison, Skr. visha. Cf. Wizen, v. i.]] 1. 1. (Med.) (a) Contagious or poisonous matter, as of specific ulcers, the bite of snakes, etc.; — applied to organic poisons. (b) The special contagion, inappreciable to the senses and acting in exceedingly minute quantities, by which a disease is introduced into the organism and maintained there.
☞ The specific virus of diseases is now regarded as a microscopic living vegetable organism which multiplies within the body, and, either by its own action or by the associated development of a chemical poison, causes the phenomena of the special disease. 2. 2. Fig.: Any morbid corrupting quality in intellectual or moral conditions; something that poisons the mind or the soul; as, the virus of obscene books.