scurvied

A sailor with scurvied gums eats a fresh orange on the ship's deck.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Affected with scurvy: "scurvied" describes a person or animal suffering from scurvy, a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen gums, bleeding, and weakness.

Usage Examples

• (They developed scurvy due to lack of vitamin C.)
• (The sailors were ill with scurvy.)

Advanced Usage

• "scurvied" as a historical or medical term: Used primarily in historical texts or medical contexts to describe the state of having scurvy.
  • The scurvied patients were treated with citrus fruits. (Those affected by scurvy received treatment.)

Variants and Related Words

• Scurvy (noun): the disease itself.

  • Scurvy was common among long-distance sailors. (The disease caused by vitamin C deficiency.)

• Scurvy (adjective): contemptible or mean (now rare, but used figuratively).

  • He played a scurvy trick on his friend. (A mean or despicable act.)

Synonyms

• Scorbutic (adjective): relating to or affected with scurvy (formal medical term).

  • The scorbutic patient showed classic symptoms. (The patient had scurvy.)

• Vitamin C-deficient (adjective): lacking sufficient vitamin C, leading to scurvy.

Related Idioms

• "Scurvy dog": an old, informal insult meaning a contemptible person (not directly related to the disease).
  • "You scurvy dog!" he shouted at the thief. (A term of abuse.)

Note: "scurvied" is a rare and somewhat archaic word, mostly encountered in historical or medical writing. It is not commonly used in everyday modern English.