A condition characterized by an enormous swelling of a
limb, the
scrotum, or external female
genitalia. Caused by (hold on to your supper, folks) clotty masses of
parasitic worms in the lymphatic drainage system. Called
elephantiasis both for the large size of the swelling and the rough appearance of affected skin.
My great-grandmother had elephantiasis in
Egypt in her youth, affecting her pinky finger. Because a local
fortune teller had predicted it, she suffered an unusual side-effect: the women in my family are now all conditioned to believe in fortune tellers and
horoscopes. Sigh.