scurvy

[ skur-vee ]
See synonyms for scurvy on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. 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,scur·vi·er, scur·vi·est.
  1. contemptible; despicable; mean: a scurvy trick.

Origin of scurvy

1
First recorded in 1555–65; scurf + -y1

Other words from scurvy

  • scur·vi·ly, adverb
  • scur·vi·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with scurvy

Words Nearby scurvy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use scurvy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scurvy

scurvy

/ (ˈskɜːvɪ) /


noun
  1. 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: Related adjective: scorbutic

adjective-vier or -viest
  1. mean or despicable: a scurvy knave

Origin of scurvy

1
C16: see scurf

Derived forms of scurvy

  • scurvily, adverb
  • scurviness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for scurvy

scurvy

[ skûr ]


  1. A disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, characterized by bleeding of the gums, rupture of capillaries under the skin, loose teeth, and generalized weakness.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.