capsid

noun Microbiology.

1. the coiled or polyhedral structure, composed of proteins, that encloses the nucleic acid of a virus.

noun

1. plant bug.

noun

1. any heteropterous bug of the family Miridae (formerly Capsidae), most of which feed on plant tissues, causing damage to crops

noun

1. the outer protein coat of a mature virus

adj.

1889 in biology, “pertaining to capsidae,” a type of insect, from Latin capsa “box” (see case (n.2)).

n.

1. The protein shell that surrounds a virus particle.

1. The protein shell that surrounds a virus particle (known as a virion). See more at virus.