pellagra

[ puh-lag-ruh, -ley-gruh, -lah- ]

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.

pellagra

/ -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

pellagra

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• pelˈlagrous, adjective

Other Words From

• pel·lagrose pel·lagrous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pellagra¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pellagra¹

C19: via Italian from pelle skin + -agra, from Greek agra paroxysm

Example Sentences

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

Horrocks: She had a close family member, one of her sisters, died of something called pellagra.

From Scientific American

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

From Seattle Times

For example, low dietary levels of vitamin B3/niacin – typically found in meat and fish – cause pellagra, a disease in which people develop dementia.

From Salon

None of them developed pellagra, proving that bodily fluids could not infect anyone with the disease.

From Salon