Scurvy Meaning and Definition
Scurvy
Pronunciation
/ˈskɜːrvi/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A deficiency disease caused by a lack of vitamin C in the diet, characterized by fatigue, weakness, bleeding gums, joint pain, and poor wound healing.
Etymology
The word “scurvy” originates from the Old French word “escorie”, meaning “bark” or “scorch”, likely due to the association of the disease with scurvy fruit or scorching skin.
Usage Notes
Scurvy is often used in medical contexts to describe the disease, but it can also be used figuratively to describe a condition of being worn out or exhausted.
Cultural References
Scurvy has appeared in popular culture in various forms, including literature, film, and music. For example, the novel “Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson features a character afflicted with scurvy.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To fall victim to scurvy
Related Words or Phrases
- Vitamin C
- Deficiency disease
Collocations
- Scurvy and salt
Frequency of Use
Scurvy is a relatively rare word in modern language, used primarily in medical and historical contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Scurry
- Scurvi