| pella |
| pellaea | (n) genus of chiefly small rock-loving ferns; in some classification systems it is placed in the family Polypodiaceae or Adiantaceae, Syn. genus Pellaea |
| pellagra | (n) a disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments, Syn. mal rosso, Saint Ignatius' itch, mal de la rosa, Alpine scurvy, mayidism, maidism |
| Pellack | n. [ Cf. Gael. Peileag. ] (Zool.) A porpoise. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Pellage | n. [ See 2d Pell. ] A customs duty on skins of leather. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Pellagra | n. [ It. pelle skin + agro rough. ] (Med.) An affection of the skin, characterized by redness, especially in exposed areas, scaling and shedding of the skin, and accompanied with severe gastrointestinal disturbance and nervous symptoms. It is due to a deficiency of niacin (vitamin B3; nicotinic acid) and protein in the diet, and may be caused by malnutrition, or, in some cases, by a heavy dependence on maize for food. It was at one time (ca. 1890) endemic in Northern Italy, and was called |
| Pellagrin | n. One who is afficted with pellagra. Chambers's Encyc. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Pellagrous | a. [ It. pellagroso: cf. F. pellagreux. ] (Med.) Pertaining to, or affected with, or attendant on, pellagra; |
