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scurvy

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The definition of scurvy is an offensive or mean person.

(adjective)

An example of scurvy is someone stealing Halloween candy baskets from children on Halloween night.

Scurvy is a disease caused by not getting enough ascorbic acid.

(noun)

An example of scurvy is feeling weak and dizzy from not getting enough vitamin C in your diet.

See scurvy in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective scurvier, scurviest

scurfy
low; mean; vile; contemptible

Origin: < scurf

noun

a disease resulting from a deficiency of ascorbic acid in the body, characterized by weakness, anemia, spongy gums, bleeding from the mucous membranes, etc.

Origin: < scurvythe

Related Forms:

scurvily adverb
scurviness noun

See scurvy in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by spongy and bleeding gums, bleeding under the skin, and extreme weakness.

adjective scur·vi·er, scur·vi·est

Mean; contemptible.

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English scurfy, characterized by scurf (influenced by French scorbut, scurvy)

Origin: , from scurf, scurf; see scurf

Related Forms:

scurˈvi·ly adverb

scurˈvi·ness noun

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