gomphiasis

G2O1M3P3H4I1A1S1I1S1

noun

A disease of the teeth that causes them to loosen and fall out of their sockets.

Scrabble 18

Meanings

noungomphiasis (uncountable)
  1. obsoleteuncountablemedicineA disease of the teeth that causes them to loosen and fall out of their sockets.

    In gomphiasis, the loosened round teeth of advanced age, the osseous tissue is involved, and it is absolutely imperative that the teeth in their bony sockets be given immobility or rest[…]

    1908, Isaac Norman Broomell, editor, Practical Dentistry, by Practical Dentists, page 486

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekγομφίος“molar”
  2. Englishgomphiasis

From Ancient Greek γομφίος (gomphíos, “molar”) (from γόμφος (gómphos, “peg”)) + -iasis.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

gomphiasis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gomphiasis

MLA

“gomphiasis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gomphiasis. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gomphiasis,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gomphiasis.

Source: gomphiasis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.