elephantiasis
noun
-ˌfan-\
-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
Keep scrolling for more
Examples of elephantiasis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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. — Author: 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. 2017These 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
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for elephantiasis
elephantiasis
noun
-ˌfan-
\
\
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).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz
-
- Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share elephantiasis
Resources for elephantiasis