sprue 1
/sprooh/ , n. , v. , sprued, spruing .
n.
1. Metall.
a. an opening through which molten metal is poured into a mold.
b. the waste metal left in this opening after casting.
2. Metalworking. a channel in a forging die permitting the die to clear that part of the rough piece not being forged.
v.t.
3. to cut the sprues from (a casting).
[ 1820-30; orig. uncert. ]
sprue 2
/sprooh/ , n. Pathol.
a chronic disease, occurring chiefly in the tropics, resulting from malabsorption of nutrients from the small intestine and characterized by diarrhea, ulceration of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, and a smooth, shining tongue; psilosis.
[ 1815-25; spruw; c. MLG spruwe tumor ]