Scurvy grass

Scurvy grass
Scurvy Scur"vy, n. [Probably from the same source as scorbute, but influenced by scurf, scurfy, scurvy, adj.; cf. D. scheurbuik scurvy, G. scharbock, LL. scorbutus. Cf. {Scorbute}.] (Med.) 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. [1913 Webster]

{Scurvy grass} [Scurvy + grass; or cf. Icel. skarfak[=a]l 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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • scurvy grass — n. an arctic plant (Cochlearia officinalis) of the crucifer family, with white flowers and a tarlike flavor, formerly used in treating scurvy: also scurvy weed …   English World dictionary

  • scurvy grass — n a cress (as Cochlearia officinalis) formerly believed useful in preventing or treating scurvy * * * Cochlearia officinalis …   Medical dictionary

  • scurvy grass — noun 1. a widely distributed Arctic cress reputed to have value in treatment or prevention of scurvy; a concentrated source of vitamin C • Syn: ↑common scurvy grass, ↑Cochlearia officinalis • Hypernyms: ↑cress, ↑cress plant • Member Holonyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • scurvy-grass — vaistinis skabėtras statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Bastutinių šeimos vaistinis, medingas augalas (Cochlearia officinalis), paplitęs vakarų Europoje ir Šiaurės Amerikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Cochlearia officinalis angl. scurvy grass;… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • Scurvy-grass Sorrel — Taxobox name = Scurvy grass Sorrel image width = 240px regnum = Plantae divisio = Magnoliophyta classis = Magnoliopsida ordo = Oxalidales familia = Oxalidaceae genus = Oxalis species = O. enneaphylla binomial = Oxalis enneaphylla binomial… …   Wikipedia

  • scurvy grass — scur′vy grass n. pln a plant, Cochlearia officinalis, of the mustard family, purported to be a remedy for scurvy • Etymology: 1590–1600 …   From formal English to slang

  • scurvy grass — noun Date: circa 1597 a cruciferous herb (as Cochlearia officinalis) formerly used in preventing or treating scurvy …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • scurvy grass — a plant, Cochlearia officinalis, of the mustard family, purported to be a remedy for scurvy. [1590 1600] * * * …   Universalium

  • scurvy-grass — noun Any of several European plants, of the genus Cochlearia, formerly believed useful in treating scurvy …   Wiktionary

  • scurvy grass — noun a small cress like plant, formerly eaten to prevent scurvy. [Genus Cochlearia.] …   English new terms dictionary

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