priapism

American  

[prahy-uh-piz-uhm] / ˈpraɪ əˌpɪz əm /

noun

1. Pathology. continuous, usually nonsexual erection of the penis, especially due to disease.

2. prurient behavior or display.

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priapism British  

/ ˈpraɪəˌpɪzəm /

noun

1. pathol prolonged painful erection of the penis, caused by neurological disorders, obstruction of the penile blood vessels, etc

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Other Word Forms

• priapismic adjective

Etymology

Origin of priapism

First recorded in 1580–90; Priap(us) + -ism

Example Sentences

A 17-year-old boy with sickle cell disease had three episodes of priapism beginning at age 10.

From Forbes • Feb. 18, 2015

A non-stimulant drug also used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Eli Lilly and Co's Strattera, has also been linked to priapism in young children, teenagers and adults.

From Reuters • Dec. 17, 2013

Salzer presents an interesting paper on priapism which was quoted in The Practitioner of London.

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

There was a similar case of priapism which lasted for three weeks, and was associated with hydrocele in a man of forty-eight.

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

Among boys a disease called priapism is often developed; this arises from undue handling of the parts, or from some morbid state of the child's health.

From Plain Talks on Avoided Subjects by Guernsey, Henry Newell