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

Derived Forms

• elephantiasic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of elephantiasis

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