antivirus
|an/ti/vi/rus|
B2
/ˈæn.tiˌvaɪ.rəs/
protection against viruses
Etymology
Etymology Information
'antivirus' originates from the combination of 'anti-' meaning 'against' and 'virus,' referring to malicious software.
Historical Evolution
'antivirus' was coined in the late 20th century as computer technology advanced and the need for protection against malicious software became apparent.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred specifically to software against computer viruses, but now it encompasses protection against various types of malware.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a software program designed to detect and destroy computer viruses.
The antivirus software scanned the computer for threats.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/22 14:36