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priapism

priapism

2 9.9
A long, often painful erection of the penis that does not come from sexual excitement
  • noun
  • /ˈpraɪəˌpɪzəm/
  • Specialized
: priapismo
  • The doctor explained that priapism is a condition requiring immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage.
  • cause priapism

Examples

  • After experiencing priapism for several hours, he sought medical help to relieve the painful erection.

  • You're suffering from severe priapism.

  • -You mean priapism.

  • Stories abound about Legba's mischievous nature, usually relating to his priapism.

    Academic text (2001)
  • ...prolonged priapism, an ax in the femur, a face burn from a s'mores while camping.

  • We want our knowledge in convenient pill form, even if doing so causes unwanted side effects like black and white thinking or priapism (if you have a doubt that lasts for more than four hours, call your pastor).

    Blog text (3)
  • If left untreated, priapism can lead to serious complications, including erectile tissue damage.

How Erect

priapism
  • Specialized
2 9.9
erection
  • NSFW
79 6.0
flaccidity
1 9.6

Surface Forms

priapism singular
priapisms plural

Morphology

priapism = Priapus (opaque) = priap + ism

The term is formed from a mythological name plus the suffix '-ism' to name a medical condition; learners cannot derive the medical meaning from the base.

Etymology

Priapism comes from the name of the Greek god Priapus, who was famous for a very large, always-ready penis, an image that helps make the word memorable. So, priapism means a 'long, often painful erection' that happens 'without sexual arousal'.