beriberi

[ ber-ee-ber-ee ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disease of the peripheral nerves caused by a deficiency of vitamin B 1 , characterized by pain in and paralysis of the extremities, and severe emaciation or swelling of the body.

beriberi

/ ˌbɛrɪˈbɛrɪ /

noun

1. a disease, endemic in E and S Asia, caused by dietary deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B 1 ). It affects the nerves to the limbs, producing pain, paralysis, and swelling

beriberi

/ bĕr′ē-bĕr′ē /

1. A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine, endemic in eastern and southern Asia, and characterized by neurological symptoms, cardiovascular abnormalities, and edema.

Other Words From

• beri·beric adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beriberi¹

1695–1705; < Sinhalese, reduplication of beri weakness

Word History and Origins

Origin of beriberi¹

C19: from Sinhalese, by reduplication from beri weakness

Example Sentences

He suffered dysentery, beriberi, ulcerated skin and repeated bouts of malaria.

From BBC

McCollum and others also conducted further experiments with Funk’s rice-bran-derived nutrient, naming it Vitamin “B” after beriberi.

From National Geographic

Meanwhile, Dutch army doctor Christian Eijkman had developed his own theory about beriberi after experiments with chickens.

From National Geographic

Meanwhile, sailors on long voyages had long been suffering from another ailment: beriberi, which can cause heart failure and a loss of sensation in the legs and feet.

From National Geographic

Japanese naval physician Kanehiro Takaki had a theory: In the 1880s, he noticed that poor civilians were likelier than their richer counterparts to develop beriberi, and suspected their diets, and a lack of protein, may play a role.

From National Geographic