pneumovirus

noun

pneu·​mo·​vi·​rus ˈn(y)ü-mō-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce pneumovirus (audio)
plural pneumoviruses
: any of a family (Pneumoviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that have a filamentous or spherical virion with a lipid-containing envelope, typically cause respiratory infections in mammals and birds, include the respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus, and were formerly classified as paramyxoviruses
Birds infected with avian pneumovirus experience nasal discharge, coughing, tracheal rales, conjunctivitis and sinusitis.Branden Peterson

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from pneumo- pneumo- + virus virus

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pneumovirus was in 1979

Dictionary Entries Near pneumovirus

Cite this Entry

“Pneumovirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pneumovirus. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

pneumovirus

noun
pneu·​mo·​vi·​rus ˈn(y)ü-mō-ˌvī-rəs How to pronounce pneumovirus (audio)
: any of a family (Pneumoviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that have a filamentous or spherical virion with a lipid-containing envelope, typically cause respiratory infections in mammals and birds, include the respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus, and were formerly classified as paramyxoviruses
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