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Glite Dictionary
tumor virus

tumor virus

5.8
A small germ that can make people or animals grow tumors
  • noun
  • /ˈtjuːmər ˈvaɪrəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : virus tumoral
  • Some vaccines target specific tumor viruses to prevent infection and reduce cancer risk.

Examples

  • The tumor virus was discovered in lab tests.

  • Scientists have identified a tumor virus linked to certain types of skin cancer.

  • The study focused on how a tumor virus alters the host cell's DNA.

  • Scientists are studying the effects of the tumor virus on mice.

  • Researchers are investigating how the tumor virus can cause cancer in mice.

  • The doctor explained that a tumor virus can lead to abnormal growths in the body.

  • Scientists are working tirelessly to find a cure for diseases caused by tumor viruses.

Surface Forms

tumor virus singular
tumor viruses plural

Morphology

tumor + virus

The meaning 'a virus that causes tumors' is directly and compositionally derived from combining 'tumor' (a localized mass of abnormal cells) with 'virus' (a microscopic infectious agent) in a standard noun–noun modifier pattern. This literal, predictable construction is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The compound noun tumor virus comes from two parts: tumor, an old word for a 'swelling' or 'lump', and virus, a word for a 'tiny germ' that makes people sick. So the image of a little germ that makes a lump helps explain why it means 'a virus that causes tumors' today.