sprue

¹

[ sproo ]

noun

1. Metallurgy.
   1. an opening through which molten metal is poured into a mold.
   2. the waste metal left in this opening after casting.
2. Metalworking. a channel in a forging die permitting the die to clear that part of the rough piece not being forged.

verb (used with object)

, sprued, spru·ing.

1. to cut the sprues from (a casting).

sprue

²

[ sproo ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a chronic disease, occurring chiefly in the tropics, resulting from malabsorption of nutrients from the small intestine and characterized by diarrhea, ulceration of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, and a smooth, shining tongue; psilosis.

sprue

¹

/ spruː /

noun

1. dialect.
   an inferior type of asparagus

sprue

²

/ spruː /

noun

1. a chronic disease, esp of tropical climates, characterized by flatulence, diarrhoea, frothy foul-smelling stools, and emaciation

sprue

³

/ spruː /

noun

1. a vertical channel in a mould through which plastic or molten metal is introduced or out of which it flows when the mould is filled
2. plastic or metal that solidifies in a sprue

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprue¹

First recorded in 1820–30; origin uncertain

Origin of sprue²

1815–25; < Dutch spruw; cognate with Middle Low German sprūwe tumor

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprue¹

C19: of unknown origin

Origin of sprue²

C19: from Dutch spruw; related to Middle Low German sprüwe tumour

Origin of sprue³

C19: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Some tops of sprue grass may be boiled in a little stock till tender, and rubbed through a tamis.

From Project Gutenberg

There is a strange story told in Shanghai about a certain remedy for a horrible disease called "sprue."

From Project Gutenberg