phimosis

American  

[fahy-moh-sis, fi-] / faɪˈmoʊ sɪs, fɪ- /

noun

Pathology.

plural

phimoses

1. constriction of the orifice of the prepuce so as to prevent the foreskin from being drawn back to uncover the glans penis.

2. a similar condition involving the clitoris.

3. narrowness of the vagina.

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phimosis British  

/ faɪˈməʊsɪs /

noun

1. abnormal tightness of the foreskin, preventing its being retracted over the tip of the penis

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Other Word Forms

• phimotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of phimosis

1665–75; < New Latin phīmōsis < Greek phīmṓsis literally, a muzzling, equivalent to phīmō-, verbid stem of phīmoûn to muzzle + -sis -sis

Example Sentences

I know someone who had to be circumcised as an adult because of phimosis.

From Slate • Dec. 12, 2019

After experiencing some problems with bleeding and tearing, I had been diagnosed with phimosis, a condition in which the foreskin retracts with difficulty or not at all.

From The Guardian • Sep. 1, 2019

These were among the responses to a story about the death of 23-year-old Alex Hardy, who was circumcised after secretly suffering from a tight foreskin - a condition known as phimosis - for many years.

From BBC • May 11, 2019

The most common reason coded for boys aged 1 and older was phimosis, or an unretracted foreskin, which could be noted for medical or nonmedical reasons.

From Forbes • Oct. 27, 2014

The patient was fifty-two years of age and the victim of congenital phimosis.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)