biologic attack
- noun
- /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪk əˈtæk/
- NSFW
:
ataque biológico
- A biologic attack could cause widespread panic and severe health crises.
Examples
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Experts warn that cities are not fully prepared to respond to a biologic attack.
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The government has increased funding to protect against a potential biologic attack.
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The government prepared for a biologic attack.
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After the outbreak, many feared a biologic attack was imminent.
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A biologic attack could cause widespread panic and severe health crises.
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Experts warn that cities are not fully prepared to respond to a biologic attack.
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The government has increased funding to protect against a potential biologic attack.
Synonyms
11
9.1
The use of germs, like viruses or bacteria, to harm people and scare them for political reasons
6
5.5
An attack using bacteria, viruses or poisons to harm people, animals and crops
3
8.6
An attack that uses germs or toxins to harm people and cause fear
1
8.4
To use bacteria or viruses as weapons to hurt people and cause fear
An event that uses bacteria, viruses, or toxins to harm people, animals and food
How Severe
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'an attack that uses bacteria, viruses, or toxins' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'biologic' (relating to life/organisms) + 'attack' (an act of violence). This follows a common noun-modifier pattern found across languages (e.g., "ataque biológico", "attaque biologique"), so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand the MWE.
Etymology
The term biologic attack puts together biologic (living things like bacteria or viruses) and attack (a planned act to hurt), creating the image of germs being used as weapons. That's why it means 'to harm or kill people, animals, or to contaminate food supplies'.