Scurvy

Scurvy - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

SCUR'VY, n. [from scurf; scurvy for scurfy; Low L. scorbutus.] A disease characterized by great debility, a pale bloated face, bleeding spongy gums, large livid tumors on the body, offensive breath, aversion to exercise, oppression at the breast or difficult respiration, a smooth, dry, shining skin, _c.; a disease most incident to persons who live confined, or on salted meats without fresh vegetables in cold climates.

SCUR'VY, a.

1. Scurfy; covered or affected by scurf or scabs; scabby; diseased with scurvy.

2. Vile; mean; low; vulgar; worthless; contemptible; as a scurvy fellow.

He spoke scurvy and provoking terms. Shak.

That scurvy custom of taking tobacco. Swift.

The name "Gareb" is used in Jer 31:39 as the placename of a hill at or near the southeastern corner of Jerusalem, probably from the bare roughness of the surface of its slope at the southern end of the Wady er-Rababi. Another hill of this name is mentioned near Shiloh in the Talmud, and the name is given to one of David's warriors (2Sa 23:38).

Scurvy etymologically means any condition of scaliness of skin which can be scraped off, such as dandruff.

Alexander Macalister