priapism

Definition

A potentially painful or harmful medical condition in which the erect penis does not return to its flaccid state (despite the absence of both physical and psychological stimulation), often as a result of a spinal injury.

Etymology

From Latin priapismus, from Priapus (“the god of procreation, the penis”) + -ism, from Ancient Greek πριαπισμός (priapismós).

Example Sentences

• "Phosphorus has long been considered a powerful stimulant. It acts upon the generative organism, it is recorded, in a manner to cause the most violent priapisms."
• "[M]any on the right have found themselves justifying our current president's priapism with the same arguments that liberals once used to excuse Clinton."

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