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

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

From Scientific American • Jun. 18, 2023

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 • Jul. 12, 2022

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 Pacific Ocean was a body of water surrounded on all sides by elephantiasis and other dread diseases to which, if he ever displeased Colonel Cathcart by grounding Yossarian, he might suddenly find himself transferred.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller