filterable virus

noun

: any of the infectious agents that pass through a filter of diatomite or unglazed porcelain with the filtrate and remain virulent and that include the viruses and various other groups (such as the mycoplasmas and rickettsias) which were originally considered viruses before their cellular nature was established

Word History

First Known Use

1903, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

filterable virus

noun

: any of the infectious agents that remain infectious after passing through a filter with pores too fine for a bacterium to pass through