GIANTISM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does giantism mean? 

• GIANTISM (noun)
  The noun GIANTISM has 2 senses:

1. excessive size; usually caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland

2. excessive largeness of stature

  Familiarity information: GIANTISM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GIANTISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Excessive size; usually caused by excessive secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

giantism; gigantism; overgrowth

Hypernyms ("giantism" is a kind of...):

hypertrophy (abnormal enlargement of a body part or organ)

Meronyms (parts of "giantism"):

hyperpituitarism (excessive activity of the pituitary gland (especially overactivity of the anterior lobe which leads to excess secretion of growth hormone))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Excessive largeness of stature

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

giantism; gigantism

Hypernyms ("giantism" is a kind of...):

bigness; largeness (the property of having a relatively great size)