echovirus

[ ek-oh-vahy-ruhs ]

noun

, plural ech·o·vi·rus·es.

1. any of numerous retroviruses of the picornavirus group, some harmless and others associated with various human disorders, as aseptic meningitis.

echovirus

/ ˈɛkəʊˌvaɪrəs /

noun

1. any of a group of viruses that can cause symptoms of mild meningitis, the common cold, or infections of the intestinal and respiratory tracts

Word History and Origins

Origin of echovirus¹

1950–55; echo- (acronym from enteric cytopathogenic human orphan ) + virus; originally termed “orphan” because they were not known to be the cause of any disease

Word History and Origins

Origin of echovirus¹

C20: from the initials of Enteric Cytopathic Human Orphan ("orphan" because originally believed to be unrelated to any disease) + virus