SCURVY
abject, low, low-down, miserable, scummy, scurvy
(adjective) of the most contemptible kind; “abject cowardice”; “a low stunt to pull”; “a low-down sneak”; “his miserable treatment of his family”; “You miserable skunk!”; “a scummy rabble”; “a scurvy trick”
scurvy, scorbutus
(noun) a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
scurvy (usually uncountable, plural scurvies)
(disease) A disease caused by insufficient intake of vitamin C leading to the formation of livid spots on the skin, spongy gums, loosening of the teeth and bleeding into the skin and from almost all mucous membranes.
Synonyms
• (vitamin C deficiency disease): Barlow's disease, Cheadle-Möller-Barlow syndrome, Cheadle's disease, land scurvy, Moeller's disease, Möller-Barlow disease, scorbutus
Adjective
scurvy (comparative scurvier, superlative scurviest)
Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby; scurfy; specifically, diseased with the scurvy.
Contemptible, despicable, low, disgustingly mean.
Synonyms
• (affected with scurf or scabs): roynish, scabrous; see also scabby
• (contemptible): miserable, paltry, shabby; see also despicable
Source: Wiktionary
Scur"vy, a. [Compar. Scurvier; superl. Scurviest.] Etym: [From Scurf;
cf. Scurvy, n.]
1. Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby; scurfy;
specifically, diseased with the scurvy. "Whatsoever man . . . be
scurvy or scabbed." lev. xxi. 18, 20.
2. Vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible. "A scurvy trick." Ld.
Lytton.
That scurvy custom of taking tobacco. Swift.
[He] spoke spoke such scurvy and provoking terms. Shak.
Scur"vy, n. Etym: [Probably from the same source as scirbute, but
influenced by scurf, scurfy, scurvy, adj.; cf. D. scheurbuik scurvy,
G. scharbock, LL. scorbutus. Cf. Scorbute.] (Med.)
Definition: A disease characterized by livid spots, especially about the
thighs and legs, due to extravasation of blood, and by spongy gums,
and bleeding from almost all the mucous membranes. It is accompanied
by paleness, languor, depression, and general debility. It is
occasioned by confinement, innutritious food, and hard labor, but
especially by lack of fresh vegetable food, or confinement for a long
time to a limited range of food, which is incapable of repairing the
waste of the system. It was formerly prevalent among sailors and
soldiers. Scurvy grass Etym: [Scurvy + grass; or cf. Icel. skarfakal
scurvy grass.] (Bot.) A kind of cress (Cochlearia officinalis)
growing along the seacoast of Northern Europe and in arctic regions.
It is a remedy for the scurvy, and has proved a valuable food to
arctic explorers. The name is given also to other allied species of
plants.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition