noun
- a disease caused by lack of vitamin C, characterized by bleeding gums and weakness
Usage: medical
adjective
- contemptible or worthless
Usage: archaic; informal
Examples
- Sailors on long voyages often developed scurvy from lack of fresh fruits.
- The ship’s doctor treated several cases of scurvy with lime juice.
- Scurvy was a major health problem for early explorers.
- Eating citrus fruits prevents scurvy.
- The old pirate called his enemies scurvy dogs.
- That was a scurvy trick to play on someone.