pellagra

noun

pel·​la·​gra pə-ˈla-grə How to pronounce pellagra (audio) -ˈlā- How to pronounce pellagra (audio) -ˈlä- How to pronounce pellagra (audio)
: a disease marked by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and dementia and associated with a diet deficient in niacin or tryptophan
In the United States, pellagra continued to be a huge problem through the mid-20th century. From 1906 to 1940, about three million people contracted it and 100,000 of them died. Most were in the South. … Southerners gradually changed their diets to include fortified foods or those containing niacin. By the 50's, pellagra had almost vanished.Howard Markel
pellagrous
pə-ˈla-grəs How to pronounce pellagra (audio)
-ˈlā-
-ˈlä-
adjective

Examples of pellagra in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web At the time of the first White House nutrition conference, in 1969, research focused particularly on isolated vitamins and minerals and their role in nutrient deficiency diseases like rickets and pellagra. Stephanie Rogus, STAT, 21 Sep. 2022 Often, pellagra is brought on by diets high in corn products and alcohol. Stanley Stepanic, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2021 Investigations [of] diseases like hookworm and pellagra and attempts to control the spread of malaria, to control mosquitoes, and then gradually take on more and more of these responsibilities. The Atlantic, 27 May 2021 Malnutrition, pellagra, hookworm, and other parasites were ubiquitous. Kevin Baker, Harper's magazine, 10 May 2019 One of Zuckerman’s graduate students inspected cross-sections of bones to find evidence of pellagra, or vitamin B deficiency. Washington Post, 23 May 2018 When the first hamster in the group cannibalized its litter, Tissier worried that pellagra was another false lead. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 After six months, all of the prisoners had developed pellagra. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 Doctors quickly eradicated pellagra in the United States and Europe with vitamin B3 supplements and balanced diets. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pellagra.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from pelle skin (from Latin pellis) + -agra (as in podagra, from Latin)

First Known Use

circa 1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pellagra was circa 1811

Dictionary Entries Near pellagra

Cite this Entry

“Pellagra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pellagra. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pellagra

noun
: a disease caused by a diet with too little niacin and protein and marked by a skin rash, digestive disorders, and mental symptoms (as irritability and confusion)

Medical Definition

pellagra

noun
: a disease marked by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and dementia and associated with a diet deficient in niacin or tryptophan compare kwashiorkor
pellagrous adjective
pellagrous dermatitis

More from Merriam-Webster on pellagra

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