Virally

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈvaɪɹəli/

Definitions

1. In a fashion that involves characteristics associated with a virus
2. In a manner connected with the nature or effects of viruses ; in a way that causes something to spread quickly among many people
3. Relating to virus-like qualities or behavior ; in a fashion that achieves rapid, widespread dissemination

Etymology: "Virally" is an adverb built from "viral" and the suffix "-ly," so its history is essentially the history of its adjective. The adjective "viral" comes from Latin "virus," which originally meant "poison" or "slimy liquid," and it was later applied to infectious agents. The core of the word, "virus," entered English in the Middle English period, and the adjective "viral" followed in English as a formation from that noun with the suffix "-al." The adverbial ending traces back to an old Germanic word for "body" or "form," which later developed into the suffix meaning "in the manner of." Joining that ending to "viral" produces "virally," literally "in a viral manner." The adverb thus describes how something behaves rather than what it is.

Synonyms: infectiously, contagiously, epidemically, pandemically, universally

Antonyms: non-virally, locally, individually, isolatedly, privately