gigantism

[ jahy-gan-tiz-uhm, ji-, jahy-gan-tiz-uhm ]

noun

1. Pathology. abnormally great development in size or stature of the whole body or of parts of the body, most often due to dysfunction of the pituitary gland. Compare hypertrophy ( def 1 ).
2. Biology. the nonpathological development of an animal or plant to an unusually large size.

gigantism

/ ˈdʒaɪɡænˌtɪzəm; dʒaɪˈɡæntɪzəm /

noun

1. See acromegaly
   Also calledgiantism excessive growth of the entire body, caused by over-production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland during childhood or adolescence Compare acromegaly
2. the state or quality of being gigantic

Word History and Origins

Origin of gigantism¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from Latin gigant-, stem of gigās; giant, -ism

Example Sentences

So warm-bloodedness, or endothermy, may be one key to their gigantism.

From Science News

Others who, because of a tumor in the pituitary gland, may overproduce HGH develop a different problem: gigantism.

From The Daily Beast

Goldstein reported a case of gigantism from overactivity of the pituitary gland after castration.

From Project Gutenberg

Conversely, in connection with an exaggerated macroscelia, we have gigantism.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bigness
• enormity
• vastness