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

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

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)