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Definition of "scurvy" [scur•vy]

  • A disease caused by deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by spongy and bleeding gums, bleeding under the skin, and extreme weakness. (noun)
  • Mean; contemptible. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "scurvy" in a sentence
  • "The name scurvy comes from the Latin scorbutus, and humans have known about the disease since ancient Greek and Egyptian times ..."
  • "However, one of the signs of advanced scurvy is the body's failure to create or replace collagen in skin tissues."
  • "And I use the word scurvy to tie this to the fact that President Surrender Monkey is afraid of pirates."