beriberi

noun

beri·​beri ˈber-ē-ˈber-ē How to pronounce beriberi (audio)
ˈbe-rē-ˈbe-rē
: a deficiency disease marked by inflammatory or degenerative changes of the nerves, digestive system, and heart and caused by a lack of or inability to assimilate thiamine

Examples of beriberi in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Her most notable inventions included soyalac, a drink made from soy beans, and darak, rice flour that could be eaten or baked into cookies rich in vitamin B-1, essential in preventing beriberi disease. Seth Mydans, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2022 Ulcers, beriberi from lack of vitamin B, tuberculosis, and burst arteries are among the ailments common among those workers, the report said, citing local doctors. Elaine Kurtenbach, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Nov. 2022 Like scurvy, beriberi can be found in people who lack fresh food. Livia Gershon, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2021 Another raider died from beriberi while in captivity. Daniel Ford, WSJ, 2 Oct. 2020 Is there hope that the flop, like beriberi, will someday be eradicated? Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, 18 Dec. 2019 There were outbreaks of cholera, beriberi, dysentery, malaria. Carl Nolte, SFChronicle.com, 14 Sep. 2019 The two would go on to discover Vitamin B, which prevents the disease beriberi, a cause of nerve inflammation and heart failure. Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 12 July 2018 If staple foods like rice fail to provide critical vitamins and minerals, illnesses like anemia and beriberi will rise, stalling progress in the climb out of poverty. Umair Irfan, Vox, 24 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beriberi.' 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

Sinhalese bæribæri

First Known Use

1704, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beriberi was in 1704

Dictionary Entries Near beriberi

Cite this Entry

“Beriberi.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beriberi. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

beriberi

noun
ber·​i·​beri
ˌber-ē-ˈber-ē
: a disease marked by weakness, wasting, and damage to nerves and caused by a lack of thiamine in the diet or by an inability to absorb and use it

Medical Definition

beriberi

noun
beri·​beri ˌber-ē-ˈber-ē How to pronounce beriberi (audio)
: a deficiency disease marked by inflammatory or degenerative changes of the nerves, digestive system, and heart and caused by a lack of or inability to assimilate thiamine

called also kakke

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