The term “avirulent” is not commonly used in everyday conversation, but it is an important term in the field of microbiology. It refers to a microorganism that is not capable of causing disease in a host. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of avirulent, as well as its origins, associations, synonyms, and antonyms.
Definitions
Avirulent is an adjective that describes a microorganism that is not capable of causing disease. It is often used in contrast to the term “virulent,” which describes a microorganism that is capable of causing disease.
Origin
The word “avirulent” comes from the Latin word “a” meaning “not,” and “virulentus” meaning “poisonous.” The term was first used in the early 1900s to describe microorganisms that were not pathogenic.
Meaning in different dictionaries
Avirulent is not a commonly used word, and as such, it may not be found in all dictionaries. However, some dictionaries do include the term, and the definition is generally consistent across them. For example, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines avirulent as “not virulent: not pathogenic.”
Associations
The term avirulent is often associated with the field of microbiology, as it is used to describe microorganisms that are not capable of causing disease. It is also associated with the study of infectious diseases, as researchers often study avirulent strains of microorganisms to better understand how they interact with the human body.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of avirulent include nonpathogenic, noninfectious, and harmless.
Antonyms
The antonyms of avirulent include virulent, pathogenic, and infectious.
The same root words
The root word of avirulent is “virulent,” which means “poisonous.” Other words that share this root include “virulence,” which refers to the degree of pathogenicity of a microorganism, and “virulency,” which is a synonym for virulence.
Example Sentences
- The avirulent strain of the virus was used in the lab to study its interactions with human cells.
- The bacteria in the soil were found to be avirulent and posed no threat to the local ecosystem.
- The vaccine contained an avirulent strain of the virus, which would stimulate the immune system without causing illness.