gigantism
UK[ˈdʒaɪɡəntɪzəm]US[ˈdʒaɪɡənˌtɪzəm]
n
a condition of excessive growth and height, often caused by hormonal imbalance.
n
the quality or state of being gigantic; enormous size or scale.
Morpheme Breakdown
gigant
ism
gigant
giant
ism
condition or doctrine
Etymology
the word 'gigantism' is a modern scientific formation directly built upon classical roots. its core, 'gigant-', descends from the greek 'gigas' (genitive 'gigantos'), referring to the mythical giants of enormous size. this root was adopted into latin as 'gigas, gigantis'. the suffix '-ism' entered english via latin from the greek noun-forming suffix '-ismos', which denotes a state, condition, or resulting quality. therefore, the term literally constructs the meaning 'the condition or state of being a giant,' which perfectly aligns with its medical use for abnormal growth and its figurative application to anything of colossal scale.
Analysis
Structure: gigant (giant) + ism (condition or doctrine)
gigant originates from greek 'gigas, gigant-' meaning 'giant'. ism is a suffix from greek '-ismos', via latin and french, forming nouns denoting a state, condition, doctrine, or characteristic.
Examples
pituitary gigantism is a rare disorder resulting from an overproduction of growth hormone before the closure of the bone growth plates.
the gigantism of the redwood trees in california is a breathtaking natural phenomenon.
critics argued that the gigantism of the proposed skyscraper would ruin the city's historic skyline.