beriberi

American  

[ber-ee-ber-ee] / ˈbɛr iˈbɛr i /

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease of the peripheral nerves caused by a deficiency of vitamin B 1 , characterized by pain in and paralysis of the extremities, and severe emaciation or swelling of the body.

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beriberi British  

/ ˌbɛrɪˈbɛrɪ /

noun

1. 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

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beriberi Scientific  

/ bĕr′ē-bĕr′ē /

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

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Other Word Forms

• beriberic
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of beriberi

1695–1705; < Sinhalese, reduplication of beri weakness

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

beriberi

In 2016, six Cambodian crew members died from beriberi, a preventable disease, onboard a Thai fishmeal trawler.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 28, 2025

He suffered dysentery, beriberi, ulcerated skin and repeated bouts of malaria.

From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2024

Meanwhile, sailors on long voyages had long been suffering from another ailment: beriberi, which can cause heart failure and a loss of sensation in the legs and feet.

From National Geographic ● Nov. 9, 2023

Eijkman pursued that line of research, discovering that prison populations fed white rice were also afflicted with beriberi.

From National Geographic ● Nov. 9, 2023

Father Julien watches helplessly as people die from malaria, beriberi, skin diseases, and starvation.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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