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scurvy
[ skur-vee ]
noun
- Pathology. a disease marked by swollen and bleeding gums, livid spots on the skin, prostration, etc., due to a diet lacking in vitamin C.
adjective
- contemptible; despicable; mean:
a scurvy trick.
scurvy
/ ˈskɜːvɪ /
noun
- a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, characterized by anaemia, spongy gums, bleeding beneath the skin, and (in infants) malformation of bones and teeth scorbutic
adjective
- mean or despicable
a scurvy knave
scurvy
/ skûr′vē /
- A disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, characterized by bleeding of the gums, rupture of capillaries under the skin, loose teeth, and generalized weakness.
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Derived Forms
- ˈscurviness, noun
- ˈscurvily, adverb
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Other Words From
- scurvi·ly adverb
- scurvi·ness noun
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Word History and Origins
Origin of scurvy1
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Example Sentences
In the 18th century, German immigrants coming to Pennsylvania boarded ships plagued with typhus, dysentery, smallpox, and scurvy.
Sea captains observed that fewer passengers contracted scurvy on ships stocked with casks of cider aboard.
You have had the impudence to have your bread baked under the ashes, you scurvy beggar!
Such as were sick of the scurvy or other diseases have not wanted physick or chyrurgery.
It was far more likely that she would reserve her scurvy tricks for some one else.
We were able to send the sufferers from scurvy to range the woods.
The sailors complained of it, and symptoms of scurvy appeared on board.
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