pneumovirus

noun

pneu·​mo·​vi·​rus ˈn(y)ü-mō-ˌvī-rəs 

plural pneumoviruses

: any of a family (Pneumoviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that have a filamentous or spherical virion with a lipid-containing envelope, typically cause respiratory infections in mammals and birds, include the respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus, and were formerly classified as paramyxoviruses

Birds infected with avian pneumovirus experience nasal discharge, coughing, tracheal rales, conjunctivitis and sinusitis.

—Branden Peterson

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from pneumo- pneumo- + virus virus

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

pneumovirus

noun

pneu·​mo·​vi·​rus ˈn(y)ü-mō-ˌvī-rəs 

: any of a family (Pneumoviridae) of single-stranded RNA viruses that have a filamentous or spherical virion with a lipid-containing envelope, typically cause respiratory infections in mammals and birds, include the respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus, and were formerly classified as paramyxoviruses