norovirus
norovirus Lexical Profile
norovirus Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of a genus (Norovirus) of small, non-enveloped RNA viruses of the family Caliciviridae that are the most common cause of acute viral gastroenteritis in humans, typically transmitted via contaminated food, water, or surfaces.
A highly contagious gastrointestinal infection caused by a norovirus, characterized by sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting, watery diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.
"The cruise ship had to return to port early after a severe outbreak of norovirus sickened hundreds of passengers."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although commonly referred to in everyday speech as the 'stomach flu', norovirus is entirely unrelated to the influenza virus, which causes respiratory illness.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in 2002 from a shortened form of 'Norwalk virus'—named after Norwalk, Ohio, where a major outbreak occurred at an elementary school in 1968—combined with 'virus'.