biological attack
6
5.5
- noun
- /ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl əˈtæk/
- NSFW
:
ataque biológico
- Both legislators and the media are raising serious questions as to whether U.S. troops possessed adequate training or equipment to respond to chemical or biological attacks.
- chemical or biological attack
Examples
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Since it would take days for victims of a biological attack to sicken, a quick and effective public health response, together with advance stockpiling of medications and selective immunization, would dramatically reduce the impact of a bioattack.
Academic text (2004) -
The military is conducting drills to prepare for a biological attack using simulated pathogens.
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l was told that somebody was planning a biological attack on this country
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This is a biological attack and I may have a way to stop it.
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The United States has clearly stated its policy to use "overwhelming force" against chemical or biological attacks.
Academic text (2003) -
Particularly in the case of a biological attack, the medical and public health community would have to be considered first responders.
Academic text (2002) -
Over time, these programs were expanded to include the protection of rear areas, such as ports and airfields in the theater of war, against chemical and biological attack.
Academic text (2004) -
We must spend more to recruit, equip, and train more first responders, and we must drastically improve our public health facilities, which, more than six years after 9/11, are not ready for a biological attack.
Academic text (2008) -
Officials reported a credible threat of a biological attack that could target civilian populations.
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Scientists are researching ways to prevent the spread of diseases that could result from a biological attack.
Synonyms
An event that uses bacteria, viruses, or toxins to harm people, animals and food
An attack using germs or poisons to harm people, animals and food supplies
How Severe
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase 'biological attack' is compositionally derived from 'biological' (relating to life/organisms) + 'attack' (an act of violence), so a learner who knows both constituents will understand it as an attack using biological agents. This is a literal, non-idiomatic compound following common cross-linguistic patterns, making it immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner.
Etymology
The phrase biological attack comes from the idea of using biological, or 'living', things such as germs, bacteria, or viruses to attack people, animals, or crops. So, it means an attack that uses germs or toxins to harm or kill.