vir ‧ u ‧ lent /ˈvɪrələnt, ˈvɪrʊlənt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: virulentus , from virus ; ⇨ ↑ virus ]
1 . a poison, disease etc that is virulent is very dangerous and affects people very quickly OPP mild :
a particularly virulent form of influenza
2 . formal full of hatred for something, or expressing this in a strong way – used to show disapproval:
virulent anti-Semitism
—virulence noun [uncountable]
—virulently adverb