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
Origin:
Sinhalese, intens. redupl. of beri, weakness
See beriberi in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine, endemic in eastern and southern Asia and characterized by neurological symptoms, cardiovascular abnormalities, and edema.