pellagra

[ puh-lag-ruh, -ley-gruh, -lah- ]
/ pəˈlæg rə, -ˈleɪ grə, -ˈlɑ- /

noun Pathology.

a disease caused by a deficiency of niacin in the diet, characterized by skin changes, severe nerve dysfunction, mental symptoms, and diarrhea.

Origin of pellagra

1805–15; < Italian < New Latin: skin disease, equivalent to pell(is) skin + -agra < Greek ágra seizure

OTHER WORDS FROM pellagra

pel·la·grose, pel·la·grous, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for pellagra

British Dictionary definitions for pellagra

pellagra
/ (pəˈleɪɡrə, -ˈlæ-) /

noun

pathol a disease caused by a dietary deficiency of nicotinic acid, characterized by burning or itching often followed by scaling of the skin, inflammation of the mouth, diarrhoea, mental impairment, etc

Derived forms of pellagra

pellagrous, adjective

Word Origin for pellagra

C19: via Italian from pelle skin + -agra, from Greek agra paroxysm

Medical definitions for pellagra

pellagra
[ pə-lăgrə, -lāgrə, -lä- ]

n.

A disease caused by a deficiency of niacin and protein in the diet and characterized by skin eruptions, digestive and nervous system disturbances, and eventual mental deterioration.

Other words from pellagra

pel•lagrous adj.

Scientific definitions for pellagra

pellagra
[ pə-lăgrə, -lāgrə ]

A disease caused by a lack of niacin in the diet, characterized by skin and digestive disorders and mental deterioration.