elephantiasis

[ el-uh-fuh n-tahy-uh-sis, -fan- ]
/ ˌɛl ə fənˈtaɪ ə sɪs, -fæn- /

noun

Pathology. a chronic filarial disease resulting in lymphatic obstruction, characterized by marked enlargement of the parts affected, especially of the legs and scrotum, transmitted by mosquitoes.
untoward growth or development: bureaucratic elephantiasis.

Origin of elephantiasis

1575–85; < Latin < Greek elephantíāsis, equivalent to elephant- elephant + -iāsis -iasis

Words nearby elephantiasis

elephant seal, elephant shrew, elephant's-ear, elephant's-foot, elephant's-trunk snake, elephantiasis, elephantiasis neuromatosa, elephantiasis nostras, elephantiasis scroti, elephantine, elephantoid fever

Example sentences from the Web for elephantiasis

British Dictionary definitions for elephantiasis

elephantiasis
/ (ˌɛlɪfənˈtaɪəsɪs) /

noun

pathol a complication of chronic filariasis, in which nematode worms block the lymphatic vessels, usually in the legs or scrotum, causing extreme enlargement of the affected area See also filariasis

Derived forms of elephantiasis

elephantiasic (ˌɛlɪˌfæntɪˈæsɪk, ˌɛlɪfənˈtaɪəsɪk), adjective

Word Origin for elephantiasis

C16: via Latin from Greek, from elephas elephant + -iasis

Medical definitions for elephantiasis

elephantiasis
[ ĕl′ə-fən-tī′ə-sĭs ]

n.

Chronic, often extreme enlargement and hardening of cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue, especially of the legs and external genitals, resulting from lymphatic obstruction and usually caused by infestation of the lymph glands and vessels with a filarial worm.

Other words from elephantiasis

el′e•phan•ti′ac′ (-tī′ăk′) adj.