Roots of Common Terms in Microorganisms: Viruses

(L = Latin, G = Greek, F = French, Ge = German, I = Italian, U = Unknown Origin)

Bacteriophage

bakterion = stick (G); phagein = to eat (G)

Envelope

viluppo = tuft, bundle (I)

Glycoprotein

glykys = sweet (G); prote = primary (G)

Icosahedron

eikosi = twenty (G); hedron = face (G)

Lysis

lysis = loosening (G)

Temperate

temperare = exercise restraint (L)

Virus

virus = slime, ooze (L)