acromegaly

noun

ac·​ro·​meg·​a·​ly ˌa-krō-ˈme-gə-lē 

: a disorder caused by excessive production of growth hormone by the pituitary gland and marked especially by progressive enlargement of hands, feet, and face

acromegalic

ˌa-krō-mə-ˈga-lik 

adjective or noun

Examples of acromegaly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But his face suggested yet another diagnosis: acromegaly. —Lisa Sanders, New York Times, 27 June 2018

André had a prolific career in professional wrestling and came to be known for his size, caused by acromegaly, sometimes called gigantism, which made his limbs and organs grow too large. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2018

But in 2003, Wobig was diagnosed with acromegaly, a pituitary disorder that required surgery and radiation. —Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2018

Andre the Giant was diagnosed with acromegaly, a disorder marked by progressive enlargement of the head, face, hands, feet and chest, due to excessive secretion of growth hormones. —Dan Gelston, The Denver Post, 13 Feb. 2017

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acromégalie, from acro- acro- + -mégalie -megaly

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

acromegaly

noun

ac·​ro·​meg·​a·​ly ˌak-rō-ˈmeg-ə-lē 

plural acromegalies

: a disorder that is caused by chronic overproduction of growth hormone by the pituitary gland and is characterized by a gradual and permanent enlargement of the flat bones (as the lower jaw) and of the hands and feet, abdominal organs, nose, lips, and tongue and that develops after ossification is complete compare gigantism