scurvy
[ skur-vee ]
/ ˈskɜr vi /
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, scur·vi·er, scur·vi·est.
contemptible; despicable; mean: a scurvy trick.
OTHER WORDS FROM scurvy
scur·vi·ly, adverb scur·vi·ness, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH scurvy
scurfy scurvyWords nearby scurvy
scurfy,
scurrile,
scurrility,
scurrilous,
scurry,
scurvy,
scurvy grass,
scut,
scuta,
scutage,
scutari
Example sentences from the Web for scurvy
British Dictionary definitions for scurvy
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
Related adjective: scorbutic
adjective -vier or -viest
mean or despicable
a scurvy knave
Derived forms of scurvy
scurvily, adverb scurviness, nounWord Origin for scurvy
C16: see
scurf
Medical definitions for scurvy
scurvy
[ skûr′vē ]
n.
A disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C and characterized by spongy bleeding gums, bleeding under the skin, and weakness.
Scientific definitions for scurvy
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.