elephantiasis

American  

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

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 British  

/ 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

---

Other Word Forms

• elephantiasic adjective

Etymology

Origin of elephantiasis

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

Example Sentences

Lymphatic elephantiasis was deemed eradicated in several countries after such programs were implemented.

From Scientific American • Jun. 18, 2023

These include elephantiasis, trachoma and Guinea Worm and are among 20 disease groups that mainly affect people in the poorest countries.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2021

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 • Sep. 5, 2020

The End Fund is working mightily to eradicate elephantiasis and other “neglected tropical diseases,” including river blindness and trachoma, both excruciatingly painful causes of blindness.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2019

If I can’t quite get the hang of poverty-chastity-and-obedience, I can learn instead about vermifuges, breech deliveries, arrow wounds, gangrene, and elephantiasis.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver