elephantiasis
A complication of chronic filariasis, in which nematode worms block the lymphatic…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.
» Lymphatic filariasis, more commonly known as elephantiasis, afflicts many of the world's most vulnerable communities.
Meaning
2 senses(uncountable, 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.
(obsolete, uncountable, usually)Synonym of leprosy.
Elefantenkrankheit
элефантиазисelefantiazis
- hypertrophy of certain body parts (usually legs and scrotum); the end state of the disease filariasis
Examples
1 sentencesLymphatic filariasis, more commonly known as elephantiasis, afflicts many of the world's most vulnerable communities.
Translations
8 languagesOrigin
From Latin elephantiasis or directly from Ancient Greek ἐλεφᾰντῐ́ᾱσῐς (elephăntĭ́āsĭs).From Latin elephantiasis or directly from Ancient Greek ἐλεφᾰντῐ́ᾱσῐς (elephăntĭ́āsĭs).
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Forms
plural: elephantiasesSynonyms
1 synonymsWord family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable