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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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