acromegaly

noun

ac·​ro·​meg·​a·​ly ˌa-krō-ˈme-gə-lē How to pronounce acromegaly (audio)
: 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 adjective or noun

Examples of acromegaly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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

Time Traveler
The first known use of acromegaly was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near acromegaly

Cite this Entry

“Acromegaly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acromegaly. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

acromegaly

noun
ac·​ro·​meg·​a·​ly ˌak-rō-ˈmeg-ə-lē How to pronounce acromegaly (audio)
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

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