noun
herpes
HUR-peez
noun
1
A viral infection that causes painful, fluid-filled blisters on the skin, mouth, or genitals.
"The doctor prescribed antiviral medication to manage his herpes outbreaks."
How to Use Herpes
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA common viral infection causing recurring blisters, often on the lips or genitals.
Word Forms
herpeses plural
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The doctor prescribed antiviral medication to manage his _____ outbreaks.
Etymology
From Greek hérpēs, literally "a creeping," from hérpein ("to creep") — a reference to how the blisters spread across the skin.