/ˈvaɪərəs/

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Meaning

A very small living thing that gets into your body and makes you ill. A computer virus is a bad program that harms computers.

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Word origin

From Latin virus, meaning poison; scientists borrowed the word for the tiny agents that make us ill.

Origin
Latin
Root
virus
English cognates
viral

Examples

.

A virus is far too small to see; you only see what it does.

.

You catch a virus, the same verb as catching a ball.

.

A computer virus is a program that copies itself and does harm.

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English · Free printables

virus: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the English word "virus" (A very small living thing that gets into your body and makes you ill. A computer virus is a bad program that harms computers.): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is taught in chapter 26, lesson 7: virus, uh-oh, ally and 7 more words.