beriberi

[ ber-ee-ber-ee ]

/ ˈbɛr iˈbɛr i /

noun Pathology.

a disease of the peripheral nerves caused by a deficiency of vitamin B1, characterized by pain in and paralysis of the extremities, and severe emaciation or swelling of the body.

Nearby words

bergy bit, bergère, berhyme, beria, beribboned, beriberi, berimbau, berime, bering, bering sea, bering strait

Origin of beriberi

1695–1705; < Sinhalese, reduplication of beri weakness

Related forms

ber·i·ber·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for beriberi

This relationship was first brought forward by Bradden and Cooper in regard to beriberi.
Scurvy Past and Present|Alfred Fabian Hess
This bears only a partial resemblance to beriberi, as there is no edema, nor dyspnœa, and its course is more chronic.
Scurvy Past and Present|Alfred Fabian Hess
Beriberi, a disease observed especially among seamen, appears at times in our coast towns.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine|Austin Malley
These phenomena resemble closely the description of Reinhard in cases of beriberi.
Scurvy Past and Present|Alfred Fabian Hess

Results of this kind show that there must be a relationship between the etiologic factors of scurvy and of beriberi.
Scurvy Past and Present|Alfred Fabian Hess

British Dictionary definitions for beriberi

beriberi

/ (ˌbɛrɪˈbɛrɪ) /

noun

a disease, endemic in E and S Asia, caused by dietary deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B 1). It affects the nerves to the limbs, producing pain, paralysis, and swelling

Word Origin for beriberi

C19: from Sinhalese, by reduplication from beri weakness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for beriberi

beriberi

[ bĕr′ē-bĕr′ē ]

n.

A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine, endemic in eastern and southern Asia, and characterized by neurological symptoms, cardiovascular abnormalities, and edema.endemic neuritis

Science definitions for beriberi

beriberi

[ bĕr′ē-bĕr′ē ]

A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine, endemic in eastern and southern Asia, and characterized by neurological symptoms, cardiovascular abnormalities, and edema.