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Glite Dictionary
myxovirus

myxovirus

9.9
A group of viruses that cause flu and mumps
  • noun
  • /ˈmɪksəˌvaɪrəs/
  • Archaic
: mixovirus
  • Vaccines can help prevent diseases caused by members of the myxovirus group, such as influenza.

Examples

  • Many myxoviruses can cause respiratory illnesses.

  • The researcher studied how the myxovirus affects respiratory cells in different animal species.

  • Scientists isolated the myxovirus responsible for the outbreak to better understand how it spreads.

  • The myxovirus is responsible for influenza outbreaks.

  • Scientists isolated the myxovirus responsible for the outbreak to better understand how it spreads.

  • Vaccines can help prevent diseases caused by members of the myxovirus group, such as influenza.

  • The researcher studied how the myxovirus affects respiratory cells in different animal species.

Surface Forms

myxovirus singular
myxoviruses plural

Morphology

myxovirus = virus (opaque) = myxo + virus + virus

The combining form 'myxo-' is not a standalone English word and its meaning ('mucus') is technical, so learners cannot reliably infer the specific taxonomic meaning from 'virus' alone.

Etymology

The word myxovirus comes from the Greek root myxa meaning 'mucus' and the word virus meaning 'poison' or 'germ'. So think of a myxovirus as a 'mucus germ', which helps explain why this group includes viruses that attack the nose and lungs, such as influenza and mumps.