sprue

1 of 2

noun (1)

1
: the waste piece on a casting (as of metal or plastic) left by the hole through which the mold was filled
2
: the hole in which a sprue forms

sprue

2 of 2

noun (2)

1
: a disease of tropical regions that is of unknown cause and is characterized by fatty diarrhea and malabsorption of nutrients

called also tropical sprue

2

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

Dutch spruw; akin to Middle Low German sprūwe, a kind of tumor

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sprue was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near sprue

Cite this Entry

“Sprue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprue. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

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