Elephantiasis - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Elephantiasis is a severe swelling of body parts, usually the legs, caused by parasitic infections that block lymphatic vessels, leading to thickened skin and tissue.
Definition:
A disease causing extreme swelling of limbs due to lymphatic obstruction, often from parasitic infection.
Synonyms:
lymphatic filariasis, tropical elephantiasis, podoconiosis
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
health, normalcy
Common Collocations:
chronic elephantiasis, lymphatic elephantiasis, tropical disease, severe swelling, parasitic infection
Derivatives:
elephantoid, elephantiasic
Usage Tips:
Use "elephantiasis" to describe severe swelling caused by lymphatic blockage, typically in medical contexts.
Common Phrases:
"elephantiasis nostras, " "filarial elephantiasis, " "non-filarial elephantiasis"
Etymology:
From Greek "elephas" (elephant) + "-iasis" (disease), referring to the limb's resemblance to an elephant's leg.
Examples:
- 1. The doctor diagnosed the patient with advanced elephantiasis after observing the severe leg swelling.
- 2. Elephantiasis is often caused by parasitic worms transmitted through mosquito bites.
- 3. She volunteers in regions where elephantiasis is endemic, helping affected communities.
- 4. Without treatment, elephantiasis can lead to permanent disability and social stigma.