virulent
pronunciation
How to pronounce virulent in British English:
UK [ˈvɪrələnt]
How to pronounce virulent in American English:
US [ˈvɪrjələnt, ˈvɪrə-]
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- Adjective:
- extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
- infectious; having the ability to cause disease
- harsh or corrosive in tone
Word Origin
- virulent (adj.)
- c. 1400, in reference to wounds, ulcers, etc., "full of corrupt or poisonous matter," from Latin virulentus "poisonous," from virus "poison" (see virus). Figurative sense of "violent, spiteful" is attested from c. 1600. Related: Virulently.
Example
- 1. That said , analyzing a complex society primarily through the lens of its most virulent elements is a dicey business .
- 2. This is especially the case having just been through the brunt of a financial crisis that is likely to be judged the most virulent ever .
- 3. Mr wilders is best known for his virulent anti-islamic rhetoric .
- 4. Yet maoist leaders also hint that their virulent rhetoric is to placate their frustrated rank-and-file .
- 5. Their economies , whose financial systems proved largely immune to contagion from the virulent disease that spread around capital markets , continued to hold up relatively well while the us and europe went into a tailspin .