herpes simplex

[ hur-peez sim-pleks ]
See synonyms for herpes simplex on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. either of two herpes diseases caused by a herpesvirus that infects humans and some other animals and produces small, transient blisters on the skin or mucous membranes, one type of virus (herpes simplex virus type 1, or HSV-1 ) usually associated with oral herpes but also causing genital herpes and the other (herpes simplex virus type 2, or HSV-2 ) usually causing genital herpes.

Origin of herpes simplex

1
First recorded in 1905–10; from New Latin: literally, “simple herpes”

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British Dictionary definitions for herpes simplex

herpes simplex

/ (ˈsɪmplɛks) /


noun
  1. an acute viral disease characterized by formation of clusters of watery blisters, esp on the margins of the lips and nostrils or on the genitals. It can be sexually transmitted and may recur fitfully

Origin of herpes simplex

1
New Latin: simple herpes

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012