elephantiasis

noun

Save Word

el·e·phan·ti·a·sis | \ ˌe-lə-fən-ˈtī-ə-səs

, -ˌfan- \

plural elephantiases\ ˌe-lə-fən-ˈtī-ə-ˌsēz

, -ˌfan- \

Definition of elephantiasis

1 : enlargement and thickening of tissues (as from chronic lymphedema) specifically : the enormous enlargement of a limb or the scrotum caused by obstruction of lymphatic vessels by filarial worms (especially Wuchereria bancrofti)

2 : an undesirable usually enormous growth, enlargement, or overdevelopment elephantiasis of the imagination

Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about elephantiasis

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

In Latin elephantiasis referred to a kind of leprosy in which the skin takes on the appearance of an elephant's hide. The word is still used in the medical field for various infectious skin diseases in which the affected part becomes grossly enlarged. The first known figurative use of "elephantiasis" is by English author George Meredith in a letter dated December 22, 1866. In that letter, he ribs an acquaintance for his exaggerated description of the size of a mackerel, telling him that he has "become the victim of a kind of mental elephantiasis."

Examples of elephantiasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web He was recognized by the World Health Organization for his work in the Cook Islands helping stamp out the tropical disease lymphatic filariasis, commonly known as elephantiasis. — Nick Perry, Star Tribune, "Former Cook Islands leader dies from virus in New Zealand," 5 Sep. 2020 The history of Phoenix, from outpost through oasis to elephantiasis, is written in channeled water. — Longreads, "The Ancient Waterways of Phoenix, Arizona," 10 Aug. 2020 In news from around the world: Vienna unveils plans to build a 25-story wooden skyscraper; the Indian government provides free pills to prevent elephantiasis; and more. — Sarah Lewin Frasier, Scientific American, "Drone-Snagging Drones, Popcorn Physics and More: Scientific American's May Issue," 1 May 2015 Though most infected people show no symptoms, some can go on to develop lymphedema (tissue swelling), elephantiasis (skin and tissue thickening), and such scrotal swelling, called hydrocele. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Man has massive, rotting scrotum removed after avoiding doctors for decades," 18 Oct. 2019 The worm that caused Hannah’s elephantiasis was also once widespread. — The Economist, "How Sierra Leone is beating tropical diseases," 23 June 2018 The team believes Nyan htoo had a condition called elephantiasis, in which a person (or, in this case, an animal) experiences swelling of body parts to the point of disfiguration. — Amy B Wang, Alaska Dispatch News, "This bear’s tongue was ‘monstrously’ enlarged. A team of vets gave him a second chance at life.," 27 Oct. 2017 In most affected countries, elephantiasis is caused by worms spread to humans by mosquito bites. — Donald G. Mcneil Jr., New York Times, "Volcanic Minerals, Not Worms, Caused Disease Outbreak in Uganda," 10 Apr. 2017 In 2015, the Ugandan health ministry was told that an outbreak of elephantiasis was emerging in Kamwenge, in western Uganda. — Donald G. Mcneil Jr., New York Times, "Volcanic Minerals, Not Worms, Caused Disease Outbreak in Uganda," 10 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elephantiasis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about elephantiasis

Listen to Our Podcast about elephantiasis

Dictionary Entries near elephantiasis

Statistics for elephantiasis

Cite this Entry

“Elephantiasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elephantiasis. Accessed 16 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for elephantiasis

elephantiasis

noun

el·e·phan·ti·a·sis | \ ˌel-ə-fən-ˈtī-ə-səs

, -ˌfan-

plural elephantiases\ -ˌsēz

Medical Definition of elephantiasis

: enlargement and thickening of tissues (as from chronic lymphedema) specifically : the enormous enlargement of a limb or the scrotum caused by obstruction of lymphatics by filarial worms of the genus Wuchereria (W. bancrofti) or a related genus (Brugia malayi)

Comments on elephantiasis

What made you want to look up elephantiasis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).