computer virus

vi•rus

(ˈvaɪ rəs)

n., pl. -rus•es.

1. an ultramicroscopic (20 to 300 nm in diameter), metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts, mainly bacteria, plants, and animals: composed of an RNA or DNA core, a protein coat, and, in more complex types, a surrounding envelope.

2. a disease caused by a virus.

3. a corrupting influence on morals or the intellect; poison.

4. a segment of self-replicating code planted illegally in a computer program, often to damage or shut down a system or network.

[1590–1600; < Latin vīrus slime, poison; akin to ooze²]

vi′rus•like`, adj.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

computer virus - a software program capable of reproducing itself and usually capable of causing great harm to files or other programs on the same computer; "a true virus cannot spread to another computer without human assistance" virus malevolent program - a computer program designed to have undesirable or harmful effects

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Translations

فيروس كمبيوتر

virus

számítógépes vírus

computervirus

вирускомпьютерный вирус

počítačový vírus