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herpes simplex
[ hur-peez sim-pleks ]
/ ˈhɜr piz ˈsɪm plɛks /
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noun
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.
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of herpes simplex
First recorded in 1905–10; from New Latin: literally, “simple herpes”
Words nearby herpes simplex
herpangina, herp derp, herpes, herpes genitalis, herpes labialis, herpes simplex, herpesvirus, herpes zoster, herpetic, herpetol., herpetology
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for herpes simplex
herpes simplex
/ (ˈsɪmplɛks) /
noun
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
Word Origin for herpes simplex
New Latin: simple herpes
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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