deficiency disease

noun

, Pathology.

1. any illness associated with an insufficient supply of one or more essential dietary constituents.

deficiency disease

noun

1. med any condition, such as pellagra, beriberi, or scurvy, produced by a lack of vitamins or other essential substances Compare avitaminosis
2. botany any disease caused by lack of essential minerals

Word History and Origins

Origin of deficiency disease¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Example Sentences

This is important information since deficiency diseases can take time to develop.

From Salon

The public was encouraged to eat more vitamin-fortified, processed foods to prevent nutrient deficiency diseases like scurvy, which is caused by a severe vitamin C deficit, or rickets, caused by prolonged vitamin D deficiency.

From Salon

In all operational areas where our men and those of our Allies are engaged, and in military hospitals, Vegemite is in great demand, because of its value in fighting Vitamin B deficiency diseases.

From Salon

They traveled from Peru so she could receive medical treatment for her rare immune deficiency disease and have been staying at the Children’s Inn.

From Washington Post

David Salamone was a longtime patient at the National Institutes of Health, where he became the subject of a study on immune deficiency disease.

From Washington Post