herpesvirus

[ hur-peez-vahy-ruh s ]
/ ˈhɜr pizˌvaɪ rəs /

noun, plural her·pes·vi·rus·es.

a DNA-containing virus of the family Herpesviridae, certain members of which cause such diseases in humans as oral and genital herpes, infectious mononucleosis, chickenpox, and shingles.
Compare herpes simplex, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus.

Origin of herpesvirus

From New Latin, dating back to 1920–25; see origin at herpes, virus

Words nearby herpesvirus

herpes iris, herpes labialis, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, herpes zoster virus, herpesvirus, herpetic, herpetic keratitis, herpetic whitlow, herpetiform, herpetiform aphthae

British Dictionary definitions for herpesvirus

herpesvirus
/ (ˈhɜːpiːzˌvaɪrəs) /

noun

any one of a family of DNA-containing viruses that includes the agents causing herpes, the Epstein-Barr virus, and the cytomegalovirus

Medical definitions for herpesvirus (1 of 2)

herpesvirus
[ hûr′pēz-vī′rəs ]

n.

Either of two types of DNA-containing animal viruses of the genus Herpesvirus, herpesvirus type one or herpesvirus type two, which form inclusion bodies within the nuclei of host cells. herpes simplex virus

Medical definitions for herpesvirus (2 of 2)

Herpesvirus

n.

A genus of viruses of the family Herpetoviridae including the causative agents of genital herpes and shingles.