n. & adj.
--n. a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds, esp. formerly affecting sailors.
--adj. (scurvier, scurviest) paltry, low, mean, dishonourable, contemptible.
Phrases and idioms:
scurvy grass any cresslike seaside plant of the genus Cochlearia, orig. taken as a cure for scurvy.
Derivatives:
scurvied adj. scurvily adv.
Etymology: SCURF + -Y(1): noun sense by assoc. with F scorbut (cf. SCORBUTIC)