beriberi Hear it!

beriberi Definition

beri·beri (ber′ē ber′ē)

noun

a deficiency disease caused by lack of vitamin B, thiamine, in the diet: it is characterized by nerve disorders and, sometimes, by edema due to heart dysfunction

Etymology: Sinhalese, intens. redupl. of beri, weakness

beriberi Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • contract: It was never sufficient to keep us in health and very soon we contracted beriberi and other illnesses.