: any of several retroviruses
often used with a number or Roman numeral to indicate the type

Word History

Etymology

human T-cell lymphotropic virus

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of HTLV was in 1980

Dictionary Entries Near HTLV

Cite this Entry

“HTLV.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/HTLV. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

: any of several retroviruses that formerly included the original strain of the AIDS virus before it was grouped with other strains, renamed HIV-1, and made the type species (Human immunodeficiency virus 1) of the genus Lentivirus
often used with a number or Roman numeral to indicate the type and order of discovery
HTLV-III

called also human T-cell leukemia virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus, human T-lymphotropic virus

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