[vir.u.lent] adj [ME, fr. L virulentus, fr. virus poison] (14c) 1 a: marked by a rapid, severe, and malignant course "a ~ infection" b: able to overcome bodily defensive mechanisms "a ~ pathogen"
2: extremely poisonous or venomous
3: full of malice: malignant "~ racists"
4: objectionably harsh or strong -- vir.u.lent.ly adv