scurvy

¹scur·vy

noun \ˈskər-vē\

Definition of SCURVY

: a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and characterized by spongy gums, loosening of the teeth, and a bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes

Origin of SCURVY

²scurvy

First Known Use: circa 1565

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Rhymes with SCURVY

curvy, nervy

²scurvy

adjective

Definition of SCURVY

: arousing disgust or scorn : contemptible, despicable <a scurvy trick>

— scur·vi·ly \-və-lē\ adverb

— scur·vi·ness \-vē-nəs\ noun

Examples of SCURVY

1. <after winning the lottery, she was beset by a whole scurvy swarm of con artists, ne'er-do-wells, and hangers-on>

Origin of SCURVY

scurf

First Known Use: 1579

Related to SCURVY

Synonyms

cheap, cruddy, deplorable, despicable, dirty, grubby, lame, lousy, mean, nasty, paltry, pitiable, pitiful, ratty, scabby, scummy, contemptible, sneaking, sorry, wretched

Antonyms

admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy

Related Words

abhorrent, abominable, condemnable, detestable, execrable, hateful, loathsome, odious; disgusting, reptilian, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, revulsive; discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, ignominious, shameful; base, ignoble, low, shabby, sordid, squalid, vile; blamable, censurable, reprehensible, reproachable; cowardly, craven, dastardly; unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous

Near Antonyms

high-minded, honest, honorable, noble, principled, redoubtable, reputable, right-minded, scrupulous, upright; ethical, good, moral, right, righteous, virtuous

See Synonym Discussion at contemptible

scur·vy

noun \ˈskər-vē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; scur·vies

Medical Definition of SCURVY

: a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C and characterized by spongy gums, loosening of the teeth, and bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes—called also scorbutus

scurvy

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Nutritional disorder caused by deficiency of vitamin C. Deficiency interferes with tissue synthesis, causing swollen, bleeding gums; loose teeth; sore, stiff joints and legs; bleeding under the skin and in deep tissues; slow wound healing; and anemia. The scourge of sailors on long sea voyages, scurvy was recognized as diet-related in 1753, when James Lind showed that drinking citrus juice could cure and prevent it, leading to the concept of deficiency diseases. Full-blown scurvy is now rare, and adequate vitamin C usually cures even severe cases in days.

Variants of SCURVY

scurvy or vitamin C deficiency