From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Scurvy \Scur"vy\, n. [Probably from the same source as scorbute,
but influenced by scurf, scurfy, scurvy, adj.; cf. D.
scheurbuik scurvy, G. scharbock, LL. scorbutus. Cf.
{Scorbute}.] (Med.)
A disease characterized by livid spots, especially about the
thighs and legs, due to extravasation of blood, and by spongy
gums, and bleeding from almost all the mucous membranes. It
is accompanied by paleness, languor, depression, and general
debility. It is occasioned by confinement, innutritious food,
and hard labor, but especially by lack of fresh vegetable
food, or confinement for a long time to a limited range of
food, which is incapable of repairing the waste of the
system. It was formerly prevalent among sailors and soldiers.
[1913 Webster]
{Scurvy grass} [Scurvy + grass; or cf. Icel. skarfak[=a]l
scurvy grass.] (Bot.) A kind of cress ({Cochlearia
officinalis}) growing along the seacoast of Northern
Europe and in arctic regions. It is a remedy for the
scurvy, and has proved a valuable food to arctic
explorers. The name is given also to other allied species
of plants.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Scurvy \Scur"vy\, a. [Compar. {Scurvier}; superl. {Scurviest}.]
[From {Scurf}; cf. {Scurvy}, n.]
1. Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby; scurfy;
specifically, diseased with the scurvy. "Whatsoever man .
. . be scurvy or scabbed." --Lev. xxi. 18, 20.
[1913 Webster]
2. Vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible. "A scurvy trick."
--Ld. Lytton.
[1913 Webster]
That scurvy custom of taking tobacco. --Swift.
[1913 Webster]
[He] spoke spoke such scurvy and provoking terms.
--Shak.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
scurvy
adj 1: of the most contemptible kind; "abject cowardice"; "a low
stunt to pull"; "a low-down sneak"; "his miserable
treatment of his family"; "You miserable skunk!"; "a
scummy rabble"; "a scurvy trick" [syn: {abject}, {low},
{low-down}, {miserable}, {scummy}, {scurvy}]
n 1: a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin
C) [syn: {scurvy}, {scorbutus}]
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