elephantiasis

[ el-uh-fuhn-tahy-uh-sis, -fan- ]

noun

1. 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.
2. untoward growth or development:

   bureaucratic elephantiasis.

elephantiasis

/ ˌɛlɪfənˈtaɪəsɪk; ˌɛlɪfənˈtaɪəsɪs; ˌɛlɪˌfæntɪˈæsɪk /

noun

1. 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

• elephantiasic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephantiasis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephantiasis¹

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

Example Sentences

Several serious, neglected tropical diseases in humans are caused by roundworms, including river blindness, lymphatic elephantiasis and ascariasis.

From Scientific American

The country has managed to eliminate malaria, polio, leprosy, the tropical parasitic disease filariasis commonly known as elephantiasis, and most other vaccine-preventable diseases.

From Seattle Times

They’re searching for animal reservoirs of known viral and parasitic diseases, including obscure viral fevers and filariasis, a parasitic worm infection that can cause the horribly disfiguring syndrome elephantiasis.

From Science Magazine

He was recognized by the World Health Organization for his work in the Cook Islands helping stamp out the tropical disease lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis.

From Washington Times

The Ugandan matriarch has a rare type of elephantiasis that has caused her family untold suffering.

From BBC