n.
Pronunciation: ˌ r ē - ō - ' v ī -r ə s
Function: noun
Etymology: r espiratory e nteric o rphan (i.e., unidentified) virus
Date: 1959
: any of a family ( Reoviridae ) of double-stranded RNA viruses that have a virion with icosahedral structural symmetry but may appear spherical, that have a capsid with one to three concentric protein layers, and that include many pathogens of plants or animals