scurvy

[ skur-vee ]

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.

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 scorbutic

adjective

1. mean or despicable

   a scurvy knave

scurvy

/ skûr′vē /

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.

Derived Forms

• ˈscurviness, noun
• ˈscurvily, adverb

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of scurvy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of scurvy¹

C16: see scurf

Example Sentences

Hunger-related diseases such as rickets, scurvy, and tuberculosis were widespread, and in the cities, death from starvation was becoming a daily occurrence.

From Literature

In Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentleman Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail Stephen R. Brown writes the mortality rate on long-distance voyages in the 1500s was 50 percent—from scurvy alone.

From National Geographic

She was incorrectly diagnosed with everything from shingles to scurvy and was even told to "eat more vegetables" because her prescribed diet had "made my digestive system lazy".

From BBC

Early white settlers, according to the Oregon Encyclopedia, would eat cranberries as a source of vitamin C to prevent scurvy, “and the berry’s naturally waxy coating allowed for long keeping.”

From Seattle Times

Researchers rushed to isolate other micronutrients associated with diseases like rickets, scurvy, goiters, and more.

From National Geographic

Related Words

• dismal
• distressing
• insignificant
• lamentable
• miserable
• paltry
• pathetic
• sad
• shabby
• sorry
• touching
• woeful
• wretched