n.
Pronunciation: ˌ a-r ə -n ə - ' v ī -r ə s, ˌ er- ə -
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin, ultimately from Latin arena sand + New Latin virus ; from the fine granules seen in cross sections of the virion
Date: 1971
: any of a family ( Arenaviridae ) of single-stranded RNA viruses having a grainy appearance and including the causative agents of lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Lassa fever