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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• elephantiasic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of elephantiasis

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

Example Sentences

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

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

If cervical cancer is a horrific and easily preventable disease for women, a counterpart that strikes men is a parasite-caused disease called elephantiasis.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2019

A tropical mosquito that carries parasites responsible for such diseases as elephantiasis has become strongly resistant in many parts of the world.

From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson