elephantiasis Hear it!

elephantiasis definition

el·ephan·tia·sis (el′ə fən tī′ə sis)

noun

a chronic disease characterized by the enlargement of certain parts of the body, esp. the legs and genitals, and by the hardening and ulceration of the surrounding skin: it is caused by obstruction of the lymphatic vessels, often due to infestation by filarial worms

Etymology: L < Gr elephantiasis < elephas, elephant: from resemblance of the skin to the elephant's hide + -asis

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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