Hypertext Webster Gateway: "scurvy"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
2. Vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible. ``A scurvy trick.''
--Ld. Lytton.
That scurvy custom of taking tobacco. --Swift.
[He] spoke spoke such scurvy and provoking terms.
--Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Scurvy \Scur"vy\, n. [Probably from the same source as scirbute,
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
scurvy
adj : 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}]
n : a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin
C)
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