herpet- combining form orherpeto- Etymology: partly from Greek herpeton animal that goes on all fours, snake, from neuter of herpetos creeping, from herpein to creep; partly from Latin herpet-, herpes herpes (also, a kind of animal, probably a snake), from Greek herpēt-, herpēs; partly from Greek herpetos creeping — more at serpent 1.: reptile or reptiles < herpetofauna > < herpetology > 2.: herpes < herpetiform > 3.: creeping < herpetomonas >