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, adjectiveWords nearby pellagra
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, adjectiveWord Origin for pellagra
C19: via Italian from
pelle skin +
-agra, from Greek
agra paroxysm
Medical definitions for pellagra
pellagra
[ pə-lăg′rə, -lā′grə, -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•lag′rous adj.Scientific definitions for pellagra
pellagra
[ pə-lăg′rə, -lā′grə ]
A disease caused by a lack of niacin in the diet, characterized by skin and digestive disorders and mental deterioration.