noun
- any of a family of large DNA viruses that cause diseases characterized by skin lesions or pox
Usage: medical; scientific
Examples
- Smallpox is caused by a poxvirus that has been eradicated worldwide.
- The laboratory studies various poxviruses to develop vaccines.
- Chickenpox is actually caused by a herpesvirus, not a poxvirus.
- Scientists identified a new poxvirus strain in the infected animals.
- The poxvirus family includes viruses that affect both humans and animals.
- Researchers are investigating how poxviruses replicate in host cells.