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Synonyms

scurvy

American  
[skur-vee] / ˈskɜr vi /

noun

  1. Pathology. a disease marked by swollen and bleeding gums, livid spots on the skin, prostration, etc., due to a diet lacking in vitamin C.

adjective

scurvier, scurviest

  1. contemptible; despicable; mean.

    a scurvy trick.
scurvy British  
/ ˈskɜːvɪ /

noun

  1. a disease caused by a lack of vitamin C, characterized by anaemia, spongy gums, bleeding beneath the skin, and (in infants) malformation of bones and teeth

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. mean or despicable

    a scurvy knave
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
scurvy Scientific  
/ skûr′vē /

  1. A disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, characterized by bleeding of the gums, rupture of capillaries under the skin, loose teeth, and generalized weakness.

Other Word Forms

  • scurvily adverb
  • scurviness noun

Etymology

Origin of scurvy

First recorded in 1555–65; scurf + -y 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The crew began using Inuit techniques to hunt seal, preserve seal blubber, and gather green spring lichens, which helped ease their scurvy.

From Literature

Cases include electrocution, drowning, overdose, scurvy, sickle cell anemia, a nail in the chest, a fastball in the eye and gallstones, with all the personal drama one expects from a hospital show.

From Los Angeles Times

“Because ye scared me parrot, ye scurvy brat!” the captain roared.

From Literature

"A diet like this over weeks would lead to 'hidden hunger', increasing the risk of diseases like anaemia and scurvy" he said.

From BBC

"Apparently around fishes' eyes is all vitamins, so she never had scurvy or anything."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.