First Known Use: 1975
Dictionary
retrovirus
noun ret·ro·vi·rus \ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs\
Definition of RETROVIRUS
: any of a family (Retroviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that produce reverse transcriptase by means of which DNA is produced using their RNA as a template and incorporated into the genome of infected cells, that are often tumorigenic, and that include the lentiviruses (as the HIVs) and the causative agent of Rous sarcoma
— ret·ro·vi·ral \-rəl\ adjective
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Origin of RETROVIRUS
New Latin
Medical Dictionary
retrovirus
noun ret·ro·vi·rus \ˈre-trō-ˌvī-rəs\
Medical Definition of RETROVIRUS
: any of the family Retroviridae of single-stranded RNA viruses—called also RNA tumor virus
—ret·ro·vi·ral \-rəl\ adjective
—ret·ro·vi·ral·ly \-ē\ adverb
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