avirulent
|a-vir-u-lent|
/eɪˈvɪrələnt/
not virulent / not harmful
Etymology
'avirulent' originates from Latin elements: from 'virulentus' (from 'virus'), where 'virus' meant 'poison' and the prefix 'a-' (in English formation) means 'not'.
'avirulent' was formed in English by adding the negative prefix 'a-' to the Latin-derived adjective 'virulent' (from Latin 'virulentus', ultimately from 'virus'), producing the modern English 'avirulent'.
Initially it denoted 'not virulent' (not poisonous or disease-causing); this basic meaning has been retained into modern usage, though it is also used figuratively to mean 'not hostile' or 'mild'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not virulent; not able to produce disease or cause severe harm (not pathogenic or not poisonous).
The strain proved avirulent in mice, causing only mild symptoms.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/02 21:32