noun. A form of a virus that allows it to be integrated into the genome of a host cell and to replicate in concert with the cell's genetic material without causing cell lysis.

noun. A virus genome, such as HIV, that integrates itself into the DNA of a host cell so as to be passively replicated along with the host genome.

noun. cDNA copy of the RNA genome of a retrovirus; the genetic material of a virus as incorporated into and able to replicate with the genome of a host cell

"This DNA copy, called a provirus, makes RNA copies, and the virus is regenerated, phoenixlike, to form new viruses."

cdna  complementary dna