Definition of "antiviral" []

• Destroying or inhibiting the growth and reproduction of viruses. (adjective)
• Computer Science Of or relating to an antivirus. (adjective)
• Computer Science Eliminating or inhibiting the effectiveness of viruses. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "While vaccines can be seen as great preventative measures, this antiviral is a cure."
• "Identification of virus − host interactions has provided information on how HIV evades the host's immune system by impairing lymphocyte function, by constantly changing and by hiding its genome in the host lymphocyte DNA, making its eradication in the infected host difficult even after long-term antiviral treatment."
• "Results from 6-month follow-up of Intercell's therapeutic Hepatitis C vaccine showed statistically significant and long-term antiviral effect in Phase II patients"