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Glite Dictionary
viricidal

viricidal

9.6
Can kill or stop viruses
  • adjective
  • /ˌvɪrɪˈsaɪdəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : viricida
  • This disinfectant has strong viricidal properties and is commonly used in hospitals.

Examples

  • The viricidal effect of ultraviolet light was demonstrated in laboratory experiments.

  • Experts recommend using a viricidal solution to clean surfaces during a viral outbreak.

  • The new viricidal spray effectively eliminates harmful viruses.

  • Is this product viricidal enough for hospital use?

  • Experts recommend using a viricidal solution to clean surfaces during a viral outbreak.

  • The viricidal effect of ultraviolet light was demonstrated in laboratory experiments.

  • This disinfectant has strong viricidal properties and is commonly used in hospitals.

Synonyms

antiviral
vsviricidal
  • Specialized
12 4.1

Able to stop viruses from growing or spreading

is about destroying or inactivating viruses rather than only stopping growth
virucidal
vsviricidal
  • Specialized
8.8

Able to kill viruses or make them inactive

is identical in meaning but uses a different spelling
microbicidal
vsviricidal
  • Specialized
7.7

Able to kill germs like bacteria and viruses

is focused only on destroying or inactivating viruses

Surface Forms

viricidal positive

Morphology

viricidal = virus (transparent) = virus + cidal

Formed by the standard combining-base for 'virus' plus the productive adjectival element '-cidal' meaning 'killing/destroying'; meaning is directly inferable.

Etymology

The word viricidal comes from virus and the ending -cidal, which means 'killing' and you can see the same idea in pesticide. So a viricidal substance 'kills' or 'stops' viruses so they cannot make people sick.