What does "rotavirus" mean?
Any of a group of wheel-shaped viruses, of the genus Rotavirus, that causes gastroenteritis and diarrhea in children and animals.
Rotavirus
/ˈɹəʊtəˌvaɪɹəs/ noun
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Any of a group of wheel-shaped viruses, of the genus Rotavirus, that causes gastroenteritis and diarrhea in children and animals.
- Grammar: rotavirus is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: attenuated vaccine, dsrna virus, gastroenteritis rotavirus, live vaccine component.
- Useful contrasts: inactivated vaccine, nonimmunogenic vaccine, noninfectious agent.
- Usage evidence: Several years ago, a rotavirus vaccine was taken off the market because it increased a baby's risk of developing a rare, but potentially deadly, intestinal blockage.
How to use "rotavirus"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "rotavirus" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "rotavirus" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "rotavirus" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "rotavirus" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "rotavirus" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "attenuated vaccine" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any of a group of wheel-shaped viruses, of the genus Rotavirus, that causes gastroenteritis and diarrhea in children and animals.
"We propose therefore that these reovirus-like or orbivirus-like enteritis viruses of calves and children are in a group separate from both orbiviruses and reoviruses, and we suggest that the term “rotavirus” (from the Latin rota, a wheel) should be used for them."
- 2 the reovirus causing infant enteritis wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
inactivated vaccinenonimmunogenic vaccinenoninfectious agentnoninfectious disease
Example
"Several years ago, a rotavirus vaccine was taken off the market because it increased a baby's risk of developing a rare, but potentially deadly, intestinal blockage."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "rotavirus"?
Common synonyms include: attenuated vaccine, dsrna virus, gastroenteritis rotavirus, live vaccine component, reovirid virus, rotaviral.
How do you use "rotavirus" in a sentence?
Several years ago, a rotavirus vaccine was taken off the market because it increased a baby's risk of developing a rare, but potentially deadly, intestinal blockage.
How do you pronounce "rotavirus"?
Pronounced /ˈɹəʊtəˌvaɪɹəs/.
Etymology
From Latin rota (“wheel”) + virus. The name was first proposed in July 1974 in an article in The Lancet.