elephantiasis meaning: definition, etymology

elephantiasis

noun

/ˌɛlɪfənˈtaɪəsɪs/

Etymology From Latin elephantiasis or directly from Ancient Greek ἐλεφᾰντῐ́ᾱσῐς (elephăntĭ́āsĭs).

Medicine, Pathology, Sciences Usually A complication of chronic filariasis, in which nematode worms block the lymphatic vessels, usually in the legs or scrotum, causing extreme enlargement of the infected area.

Medicine, Pathology, Sciences Obsolete, Usually Synonym of leprosy.

Derived terms: angioelephantiasis, Arabian elephantiasis, congenital elephantiasis, elephantiasic, elephantiasis Arabum, elephantiasis chirurgica, elephantiasis gingivae, elephantiasis neuromatosa, elephantiasis nostras, elephantiasis oculi, elephantiasis scroti, elephantiasis telangiectodes, elephantiasis vulvae, filarial elephantiasis, gingival elephantiasis, Greek elephantiasis, lymphangiectatic elephantiasis, nevoid elephantiasis, oschelephantiasis
Related terms: elephantic