coronavirus

What it means

1. countableuncountablebiologyA member of the family Coronaviridae, comprising viruses which infect animals and human beings, and the genome of which consists of a single strand of RNA.First known use 1968

   [T]he replication of the corona-virus and the herpes-simplex virus is blocked by cystatin C [...]

   1997, Michiel F. J. Blankenvoorde et al., “Antibacterial Activity against Porphyromonas Gingivalis by Cystatins”, in V. K. Hopsu-Havu, M. Järvinen, H. Kirschke, editors, Proteolysis in Cell Functions, Amsterdam: IOS Press, →ISBN, page 532

   5 more examples

   A new group of viruses with the name of coronaviruses has been recognized by an informal group of virologists who have sent their conclusions to Nature. […] In the opinion of the eight virologists these viruses are members of a previously unrecognized group which they suggest should be called the coronaviruses, to recall the characteristic appearance by which these viruses are identified in the electron microscope.

   [1968 November 16, “Virology: Coronaviruses”, in Nature, volume 220, number 5168, page 650

   This characteristic structural resemblance and other shared properties of these viruses have caused certain virologists to propose the name coronavirus for this previously unrecognized group.

   [1969 November, Harold S. Kaye, Walter R. Dowdle, “Some Characteristics of Hemagglutination of Certain Strains of ‘IBV-Like’ Virus”, in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, volume 120, number 5, Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, →ISSN, →JSTOR, →OCLC, →PMID, page 576, column 1

   The virus, designated as rat coronavirus (RCV), exhibits properties representative of the coronavirus group: characteristic surface structure, particles somewhat variable in size averaging approximately 90 mμ, apparent RNA content, essential lipid, heat sensitivity, and a close serologic relationship with the mouse hepatitis virus complex.

   1970 September, J. C. Parker, S. S. Cross, W. P. Rowe, “Rat Coronavirus (RCV): A Prevalent, Naturally Occurring Pneumotropic Virus of Rats”, in Archiv für die gesamte Virusforschung, volume 31, numbers 3–4, New York, N.Y.: Springer-Verlag, →ISSN, →OCLC, summary, page 293

   In 1971 a canine coronavirus was isolated from feces of military dogs that were suffering from severe vomiting and diarrhea. [...] Diagnosis usually is based on the history and physical examination and the identification of coronavirus by electron microscope examination of feces or by performing other laboratory tests on the feces.

   1984, Johnny D. Hoskins, John D. Rhoades, “Distemper, Other Infectious Dog Diseases”, in Jack Hayes, editor, 1984 Yearbook of Agriculture: Animal Health: Livestock and Pets, Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Agriculture, →OCLC, page 388

   Some accompanying cytotoxicity has also been observed as well as slight activity against A59 corona virus without concurrent cytotoxicity [...].

   1993, Kenneth L. Rinehart, Lois S. Shield, Martha Cohen-Parsons, “Antiviral Substances”, in David H. Attaway, Oskar R. Zaborsky, editors, Marine Biotechnology, volumes 1 (Pharmaceutical and Bioactive Natural Products), New York, N.Y.: Plenum Press, →ISBN, section 4.7 (Thyrsiferol and Related Triterpenes), page 319

   1. countableuncountableoften the intended sensebiologySARS-CoV-2, the specific coronavirus that causes the infectious disease COVID-19.

      A woman in her 70s was confirmed as the first coronavirus death in the UK on Thursday as Downing Street warned that it was now highly likely that the virus would spread in “a significant way”.

      2020 March 6, “First UK death from coronavirus confirmed as cases surge to 116”, in The Guardian

2. countablemetonymicallyuncountableAn illness caused by a coronavirus.

In a sentence

This characteristic structural resemblance and other shared properties of these viruses have caused certain virologists to propose the name coronavirus for this previously unrecognized group.

[1969 November, Harold S. Kaye, Walter R. Dowdle, “Some Characteristics of Hemagglutination of Certain Strains of ‘IBV-Like’ Virus”, in The Journal of Infectious Diseases, volume 120, number 5, Chicago, Ill.: University of Chicago Press, →ISSN, →JSTOR, →OCLC, →PMID, page 576, column 1

Where it comes from

1. Proto-Indo-European*ḱorh₂-
2. Ancient Greekκορώνη (korṓnē)
3. Latincorōna
4. Italiancorona
5. Englishcorona
6. Proto-Indo-European*weys-
7. Proto-Indo-European*wisós
8. Proto-Italic*weizos
9. Latinvīrus
10. Middle Englishvirus
11. Englishvirus
12. Englishcoronavirus

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.

First known use: 1968