scurvy — a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈskɜːrvi/
Example Sentences
- The scurvy dog refused to share his treasure map with anyone.
- The pirate captain's crew avoided scurvy by always carrying barrels of pickled cabbage on their ship.
- Modern nutritionists find it hard to believe that people once died from scurvy when citrus fruits could have saved them.
scurvy
NOUN[/ˈskɜːrvi/]
a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds
Sailors on a long voyage suffer from scurvy until they finally eat fresh lemons.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Dutch 'scheurbuik' (literally 'split-belly'), combining 'scheuren' (to split/tear) and 'buik' (belly), referring to the disease's characteristic symptom of splitting and bleeding skin. The word entered English in the 16th century through maritime trade and naval contact.
Breakdown
Dutch scheur- (split/tear) + -buik (belly) → English scurvy (suffix -y added to make it an adjective/noun describing the disease condition)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The scurvy dog refused to share his treasure map with anyone.”
“The pirate captain's crew avoided scurvy by always carrying barrels of pickled cabbage on their ship.”
“Modern nutritionists find it hard to believe that people once died from scurvy when citrus fruits could have saved them.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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