Lethality: meaning, definitions and examples

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lethality

[ləˈθælɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in medicine

The ability of a disease or injury to cause death. Lethality is often measured by mortality rate.

Synonyms

deadliness, deadly nature, fatality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lethality	Typically used in scientific or medical contexts to describe the potential to cause death. The lethality of the new virus strain is under investigation. The lethality of the poison was immediately evident.
deadliness	Often used in general contexts to describe how dangerous something is. The deadliness of the weapon was frightening. They didn't realize the deadliness of the situation until it was too late.
fatality	Commonly used to refer to deaths resulting from specific events, particularly in news reports or statistics. The car accident resulted in one fatality. The natural disaster led to numerous fatalities.
deadly nature	Usually employed to emphasize the inherent dangerous characteristics of something, often in descriptive or narrative contexts. The deadly nature of the disease made it a top priority for health organizations. The film highlighted the deadly nature of the assassin.

Examples of usage

The lethality of the virus was a major concern for public health officials.
The lethality of the snake's venom is well-known in the region.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in warfare

The capacity of a weapon or a military operation to cause death among the enemy forces.

Synonyms

deadliness, fatalness, kill power.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
lethality	Often used in scientific, medical, or technical contexts to describe the degree to which something can cause death. This term is technical and clinical in nature. The lethality of the virus was higher than initially expected Researchers are studying the lethality of the new drug
deadliness	Used in everyday language to describe how dangerous something is, often emphasizing high risk or severe consequences. It can be applied to diseases, weapons, or situations. The deadliness of the storm took everyone by surprise The deadliness of the poison made it a popular choice for assassins
fatalness	Less commonly used, often appearing in legal or formal contexts. It indicates the quality of being fatal or leading to death. It may sound somewhat old-fashioned or formal. The fatalness of his injuries was evident to the medical team Discussing the fatalness of the disease, the doctors were grave
kill power	Informal and often used in military or gaming contexts. This term usually refers to the effectiveness of a weapon or action in causing death. The new missile's kill power is unmatched Gamers praised the weapon's high kill power in the latest update

Examples of usage

The lethality of the new missile system is unmatched in modern warfare.
The increased lethality of the army's tactics caught the enemy off guard.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Latin ' lethalis', which means 'deadly' or 'fatal'.
It combines the root 'lethe', referring to forgetfulness or oblivion, with the suffix '-ity', indicating a state or quality.

Science

In biology, lethality can refer to a trait that causes an organism to not survive or reproduce.
Toxicology studies the lethality of substances, helping to determine the safe levels of exposure to chemicals and poisons.

Military History

Historically, lethality has been a key focus in the development of weapons, aiming to increase effectiveness in combat.
During World War II, advancements in air and ground weapons significantly increased the lethality of military engagements.

Psychology

Research in psychology often explores how the perception of lethality influences human behavior, such as risk-taking or avoidance.
Studies show that individuals' fear of lethality can affect their decision-making and mental health.

Pop Culture

In action films and video games, lethal characters or weapons are often glorified, portraying high levels of danger and excitement.
The memorable phrase 'lethal weapon' has become synonymous with tough cop or action hero, influencing many film plots.

Translations

Translations of the word "lethality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 letalidade

🇮🇳 मृत्यु-दर

🇩🇪 Tödlichkeit

🇮🇩 letalitas

🇺🇦 летальність

🇵🇱 śmiertelność

🇯🇵 致死性 (ちしせい)

🇫🇷 létalité

🇪🇸 letalidad

🇹🇷 ölümcüllük

🇰🇷 치명성 (致命性)

🇸🇦 الفتك

🇨🇿 letalita

🇸🇰 letalita

🇨🇳 致死性 (zhìsǐxìng)

🇸🇮 letalnost

🇮🇸 dauðleiki

🇰🇿 өлім-жітім

🇬🇪 ლეტალობა

🇦🇿 letallıq

🇲🇽 letalidad