virus

Words with a similar base: computer_virus, virus

'virus'

[virus.n.01] as in: (virology) ultramicroscopic infectious agent that replicates itself only within cells of living hosts; many are pathogenic; a piece of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) wrapped in a thin coat of protein

'virus'

[virus.n.02] as in: a harmful or corrupting agency

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Examples:
bigotry is a virus that must not be allowed to spread
the virus of jealousy is latent in everyone

'virus'

[virus.n.03] as in: a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer

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Examples:
a true virus cannot spread to another computer without human assistance