subvirus
/sʌbˈvaɪrəs/
noun
- A biological entity that is smaller or simpler than a typical virus, such as a viroid, a virusoid, or a defective interfering particle.
- Scientists discovered a new subvirus that infects plants and causes stunted growth.
- A subvirus like the hepatitis delta virus requires a helper virus to replicate.
- The textbook explained how a subvirus differs from a full virus in structure and function.