herpes Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun viral diseases causing eruptions of the skin or mucous membrane
  2. noun any of the animal viruses that cause painful blisters on the skin
    herpes virus.

WordNet

Her"pes noun
Etymology
L., fr. Gr. , fr. to creep.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) An eruption of the skin, taking various names, according to its form, or the part affected; especially, an eruption of vesicles in small distinct clusters, accompanied with itching or tingling, including shingles, ringworm, and the like; -- so called from its tendency to creep or spread from one part of the skin to another.

Webster 1913