a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
<noun.state> [ adj ]
of the most contemptible kind
<adj.all> 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
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.
[He] spoke spoke such scurvy and provoking terms. --Shak.
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.
{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.
Starvation, scurvy and cannibalism apparently claimed the lives of most members of the expedition, she said.
Sailors were frequent sufferers from scurvy until it was discovered that they could be protected by citrus fruits _ hence the term "Limey" for British, from the lime juice rations that were given to seamen.
He finished the civil war relatively unscathed, suffering only from a case of scurvy, but half the 3,300-man brigade perished in the struggle.