capsid 1
/kap"sid/ , n.
the coiled or polyhedral structure, composed of proteins, that encloses the nucleic acid of a virus. Also called protein coat .
[ 1960-65; capside, equiv. to L caps ( a ) CASE 2 + -ide -ID 1 ]
capsid 2
/kap"sid/ , n.
See plant bug .
[ Capsidae, equiv. to Caps ( us ) a genus (said to have been formed on Gk kápsis a gulping down; káp ( tein ) to gulp down + -sis -SIS) + -idae -ID 2 ]