Definition of: elephantiasis

(el′ə·fən·tī′ə·sis) noun Pathol.
The final chronic stage of a filariasis caused by the presence in the blood and lymph of a parasitic nematode worm (Wuchereria bancrofti). It is characterized by a thickening and hardening of the skin, together with an enormous enlargement of the part affected, usually the lower extremities. [<L <Gk. <elephas elephant]