pellagra

American  

[puh-lag-ruh, -ley-gruh, -lah-] / pəˈlæg rə, -ˈleɪ grə, -ˈlɑ- /

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease caused by a deficiency of niacin in the diet, characterized by skin changes, severe nerve dysfunction, mental symptoms, and diarrhea.

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pellagra British  

/ -ˈlæ-, pəˈleɪɡrə /

noun

1. 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

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pellagra Scientific  

/ pə-lăg′rə,-lā′grə /

1. A disease caused by a lack of niacin in the diet, characterized by skin and digestive disorders and mental deterioration.

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Other Word Forms

• pellagrose adjective
• pellagrous adjective

Etymology

Origin of pellagra

1805–15; < Italian < New Latin: skin disease, equivalent to pell ( is ) skin + -agra < Greek ágra seizure

Example Sentences

They remind us that nostalgia for the food culture of our grandparents overlooks the prevalence of rickets, pellagra and food-poisoning in those days, to say nothing of hunger.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Since then, researchers have focused on the substances’ health benefits, learning more about the links between vitamin deficiencies and disease and using them to treat conditions like pellagra and anemia.

From National Geographic • Nov. 9, 2023

And during the 20th century, pellagra was widespread in the South where low-wage Black laborers like Flemmie’s sister Mabel lived off of salt pork, corn meal, and molasses.

From Scientific American • Oct. 26, 2023

She had been suffering from scurvy, beriberi and pellagra since her hospital stay.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2022

Maize lacks digestible niacin, the amino acids lysine and tryptophan, necessary to make proteins and diets with too much maize can lead to protein deficiency and pellagra, a disease caused by lack of niacin.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann