[ˈskəːvi], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds, which particularly affected poorly nourished sailors until the end of the 18th century
(e.g: the ravages of scurvy)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English (as an adjective meaning ‘scurfy’): from scurf + -y. The noun use (mid 16th century) is by association with French scorbut (see scorbutic)

[ˈskəːvi], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- worthless or contemptible
(e.g: that was a scurvy trick)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English (as an adjective meaning ‘scurfy’): from scurf + -y. The noun use (mid 16th century) is by association with French scorbut (see scorbutic)