capsid

¹

[ kap-sid ]

noun

, Microbiology.

1. the coiled or polyhedral structure, composed of proteins, that encloses the nucleic acid of a virus.

capsid

²

[ kap-sid ]

noun

1. plant bug.

capsid

¹

/ ˈkæpsɪd /

noun

1. the outer protein coat of a mature virus

capsid

²

/ ˈkæpsɪd /

noun

1. any heteropterous bug of the family Miridae (formerly Capsidae ), most of which feed on plant tissues, causing damage to crops

capsid

/ kăp′sĭd /

1. The protein shell that surrounds a virus particle (known as a virion ).
2. See more at virus

Word History and Origins

Origin of capsid¹

1960–65; < French capside, equivalent to Latin caps ( a ) case ² + -ide -id ¹

Origin of capsid²

< New Latin Capsidae, equivalent to Caps ( us ) a genus (said to have been formed on Greek kápsis a gulping down; káp ( tein ) to gulp down + -sis -sis ) + -idae -id ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of capsid¹

C20: from French capside, from Latin capsa box

Origin of capsid²

C19: from New Latin Capsus (genus)

Example Sentences

Our language model also identified a novel viral capsid protein that is widespread in the global oceans.

From Salon

The researchers showed that the compound K11777 prevents host cells from helping the virus out of its shell by cleaving the viral capsid.

From Science Daily

Viruses keep their genetic material -- either DNA or RNA -- packaged in a hollow particle called a capsid.

From Science Daily

The capsid is a complex piece of machinery, made of more than a thousand proteins assembled into a cone-like shape, with a smaller and larger end.

From Science Daily

The capsid has a width of about 60 nanometers and could just squeeze through the pore.

From Science Daily