coronavirus
n.a type of virus that can cause illnesses ranging from a common cold to more serious diseases. It gets its name from the crown-like spikes on its surface.
n.any of a group of RNA viruses that cause respiratory and digestive infections in humans and animals. Characterised by a lipid envelope covered with club-shaped projections resembling a solar corona.
“The doctor explained how the coronavirus spreads through the air.”
“Public health officials monitored the new coronavirus strain to determine if it caused more severe symptoms than previous versions.”
“While many varieties of coronavirus only cause mild upper respiratory tract infections, certain zoonotic strains have crossed the species barrier to cause significant global health emergencies.”
“In April 2020, she donated $1m to the Vanderbilt University in Tennessee which directly funded coronavirus research that helped develop the Moderna Covid vaccine.”
“The vaccine generated immune responses against multiple coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, SARS, and related bat viruses with pandemic potential.”
From corona (“crown-like circle of light appearing around the sun”) + virus. Corona is derived from Latin corōna (“garland, wreath; crown”), from Ancient Greek κορώνη (korṓnē, “something curved; curved stern of a ship; end, point, tip”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to bend, turn”). The name refers to the characteristic appearance of its virions by electron microscopy, which have a fringe of surface projections creating an image reminiscent of a solar corona. Compare the former genus name Coronavirus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.