Hypertext Webster Gateway: "sprue"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Sprue \Sprue\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
1. (Founding)
(a) Strictly, the hole through which melted metal is
poured into the gate, and thence into the mold.
(b) The waste piece of metal cast in this hole; hence,
dross.
2. (Med.) Same as {Sprew}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
sprue
n : a chronic disorder that occurs in tropical and nontropical
forms and in both children and adults; nutrients are not
absorbed; symptoms include foul-smelling diarrhea and
emaciation [syn: {tropical sprue}]
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