pellagra

noun

pel·la·gra pə-ˈla-grə

-ˈlā-

-ˈlä-

: a disease marked by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and mental disturbances and associated with a diet deficient in niacin

pellagrous

pə-ˈla-grəs

-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 See More

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

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pellagra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pellagra. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.

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Kids Definition

pellagra

noun

pel·la·gra pə-ˈlag-rə

-ˈlāg-

-ˈläg-

: 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

pel·la·gra pə-ˈlag-rə

-ˈlāg-

-ˈläg-

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

pellagrous

-rəs

adjective

pellagrous dermatitis