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

scurvier, scurviest 

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

adjective

1. mean or despicable

   a scurvy knave

scurvy

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.

Other Word Forms

• scurviness noun
• scurvily adverb

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

"A diet like this over weeks would lead to 'hidden hunger', increasing the risk of diseases like anaemia and scurvy" he said.

Read more on BBC

"Apparently around fishes' eyes is all vitamins, so she never had scurvy or anything."

Read more on BBC

Funk’s research also showed that the lack of certain vitamins would cause illness, including a disease called pellagra when the body lacked vitamin B3 and scurvy when it lacked vitamin C.

Read more on Salon

Before Brexit, imported bananas provided 44% of the United Kingdom’s total requirement of vitamin C, needed to keep its old nemesis of scurvy at bay.

Read more on Science Magazine

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

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• dismal 
• distressing www.thesaurus.com
• insignificant 
• lamentable 
• miserable 
• paltry 
• pathetic 
• sad 
• shabby 
• sorry 
• touching 
• woeful 
• wretched