semiviral

English

Alternative forms

• semi-viral

Etymology

From semi- +‎ viral.

Adjective

semiviral (not comparable)

1. (virology) Partially viral (of or relating to a biological virus).
   • 2009, Khalil N Abi-Nader, Charles H Rodeck, Anna L David, “Prenatal gene therapy for the early treatment of genetic disorders”, in Expert Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology, volume 4, number 1, →DOI, pages 27–28:

     Nonviral vectors are perceived as having a better safety profile than their viral counterparts, with an ability to transfer very large fragments of genetic material. Vectors include cationic liposomes, cationic polymers, yeast artificial chromosomes, Epstein–Barr virus plasmids and semiviral systems, as in the case of the ‘Sleeping Beauty’ transposon [30,31].

2. (social media) Somewhat or moderately viral (circulated rapidly and widely).
   • 2023, Treva B. Lindsey, “Up against the Wind: Intracommunal Violence”, in America, Goddam: Violence, Black Women, and the Struggle for Justice, Oakland, CA: University of California Press, →ISBN, page 134:

     Almost immediately after the video went semiviral, activist Rosa Clemente mobilized a group of women of color to coauthor and sign a statement denouncing the video, calling for XXL to feature anti–sexual violence content and demanding the firing of then–XXL editor-in-chief, Vanessa Satten.⁴²