capsid

noun cap·sid \ˈkap-səd\

Definition of CAPSID

: the protein shell of a virus particle surrounding its nucleic acid

French capside, from Latin capsa case + French -ide ²-id

First Known Use: 1959

Medical Dictionary

noun cap·sid \ˈkap-səd\

: the protein shell of a virus particle that surrounds its nucleic acid

—cap·sid·al \-səd-^əl\ adjective

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