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beriberi

[ber-ee-ber-ee]
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noun Pathology.
  1. 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.
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Origin of beriberi

1695–1705; < Sinhalese, reduplication of beri weakness
Related formsber·i·ber·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for beriberi

Historical Examples

  • Beriberi (or Berberi) is the name given them by the Hausa (see Bornu).

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 6

    Various

  • It is valuable in this connection to compare the adrenal in scurvy with that of beriberi.

    Scurvy Past and Present

    Alfred Fabian Hess

  • Ship-beriberi is generally regarded as a combination of beriberi and scurvy.

    Scurvy Past and Present

    Alfred Fabian Hess

  • This relationship was first brought forward by Bradden and Cooper in regard to beriberi.

    Scurvy Past and Present

    Alfred Fabian Hess

  • In beriberi, Andrews observed frequent congestion of the spleen and also a loss of normal markings.

    Scurvy Past and Present

    Alfred Fabian Hess

British Dictionary definitions for beriberi

beriberi

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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Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for beriberi

n.

also beri-beri, paralytic disease prevalent in much of India, 1703, literally "great weakness," intensifying reduplication of Sinhalese beri "weakness."

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
beriberi in Medicine

beriberi

(bĕr′ē-bĕr′ē)
n.
  1. 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
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
beriberi in Science

beriberi

[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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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.