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herpesvirus
noun
her·pes·vi·rus
ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs
: any of a family (Herpesviridae) of double-stranded DNA viruses that include the cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus and the causative agents of chicken pox, herpes simplex, Marek's disease, roseola infantum, and shingles
Examples of herpesvirus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Exposure to viruses: Human herpesvirus 8, HHV-8, can increase the risk of a type of sarcoma called Kaposi's sarcoma.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 10 June 2024
In a paper posted to the preprint site bioRxiv, the researchers detected fragments of adenovirus (which causes cold-like illnesses), herpesvirus (linked to cold sores) and papillomavirus (HPV) in Neanderthal genome data.
—Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 May 2024
After the fall, the bird was found to have had severe pigeon herpesvirus and four different anticoagulant rodenticides, or rat poison, within his system, according to the postmortem testing results released by the Central Park Zoo on March 25.
—USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024
On Monday, the Wildlife Conservation Society said in a statement that the contagious and often-fatal herpesvirus infection had damaged Flaco’s tissues, organs, spleen, liver and brain.
—Kyle Melnick, Washington Post, 27 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for herpesvirus
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Word History
First Known Use
1925, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near herpesvirus
Cite this Entry
“Herpesvirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/herpesvirus. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
herpesvirus
noun
her·pes·vi·rus
ˌhər-(ˌ)pēz-ˈvī-rəs
: any of a group of viruses that contain DNA and cause herpes
Medical Definition
herpesvirus
noun
her·pes·vi·rus
-ˈvī-rəs
: any of a family Herpesviridae of double-stranded DNA viruses
More from Merriam-Webster on herpesvirus
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about herpesvirus
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