- Cochlearia officinalis
- 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.