herpes Hear it!

herpes definition

her·pes (hʉr′pēz′)

noun

any of several acute inflammatory diseases, esp. herpes simplex, caused by various herpesviruses and characterized by the eruption of small blisters on the skin and mucous membranes

Etymology: L < Gr herpēs, lit., a creeping, herpes < herpein, to creep: see serpent

Related Forms:

  • herpetic her·pet′·ic (hər pet′ik) adjective

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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