| any illness associated with an insufficient supply of one or more essential dietary constituents. |
| deficiency disease n. A disease, such as rickets or scurvy, that is caused by a dietary deficiency of specific nutrients, especially a vitamin or mineral. The disease may stem from insufficient intake, digestion, absorption, or utilization of a nutrient. |
deficiency disease n.
A disease that is caused by a dietary deficiency of specific nutrients, especially a vitamin or mineral, possibly stemming from insufficient intake, digestion, absorption, or utilization of a nutrient. Also called insufficiency disease.