Scurvy
WordNet
adjective
(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"
noun
(2) A condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
WiktionaryText
Etymology
- Noun usage from the adjective influenced by or a variant of . Took on meaning of , , possibly from , + . Compare German , Late Latin .
- Alternate etymology is < < .
Noun
- A disease caused by insufficient intake of vitamin C leading to the formation of livid spots on the skin, spongy gums, loosening of the teeth and bleeding into the skin and from almost all mucous membranes.
Synonyms
Barlow's disease, Cheadle-Möller-Barlow syndrome, Cheadle's disease, Moeller's disease, Möller-Barlow disease, scorbutusAdjective
- Contemptible, despicable, low, disgustingly mean.