Medical Definition of Human immunodeficiency virus. Human immunodeficiency virus: HIV, the cause of AIDS. HIV has also previously been called the human lymphotropic virus type III, the lymphadenopathy-associated virus and the lymphadenopathy virus. No matter what name is applied, it is a retrovirus. (A retrovirus has an RNA genome and a reverse transcriptase enzyme.
Definition of custody for English Language Learners. 1  law : the legal right to take care of a child (such as a child whose parents are divorced) : 2  the state of being kept in a prison or jail. : 3  the act of protecting or taking care of something.
Inmates in danger from others might be put into solitary confinement. The witness to a major crime might need protection from the accused. Children in threatening situations can be put under protective custody. Children may be placed in protective custody as a means to prevent bullying. Children may be taken away from a parent and placed in protective custody for their own well being.