virulence
noun
- degree to which a pathogen is capable of infecting or damaging its host
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈvɪɹjələns/ / /ˈvɪɹələns/
noun
Etymology: From Middle French virulence, from Late Latin virulentia.
- The state of being virulent.
“Most strains of this virus have no virulence.”
“Francis was enraged at the interference, and opposition made him more in earnest; but just at this time, the civil war, which had hitherto left their part of the country comparatively quiet, arose with great virulence in their immediate vicinity.”
- The degree of how virulent a thing is.
“This strain has higher virulence than most others.”