pellagra

pel·lag·ra  (p-lgr, -lgr, -lä)

n.

A disease caused by a deficiency of niacin and protein in the diet and characterized by skin eruptions, digestive and nervous system disturbances, and eventual mental deterioration.

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[Italian : pelle, skin (from Latin pellis; see pel-³ in Indo-European roots) + -agra, a seizure (from Latin, from Greek -agr, from agr, a seizing; see ag- in Indo-European roots).]

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pel·lagrous adj.

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pellagra

Noun

Pathol a disease caused by a diet lacking in vitamin B, which results in scaling of the skin, diarrhoea and mental disorder [Italian, from pelle skin + Greek agra paroxysm]

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pellagra  (p-lgr, -lgr)

A disease caused by a lack of niacin in the diet, characterized by skin and digestive disorders and mental deterioration.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

pellagra - a disease caused by deficiency of niacin or tryptophan (or by a defect in the metabolic conversion of tryptophan to niacin); characterized by gastrointestinal disturbances and erythema and nervous or mental disorders; may be caused by malnutrition or alcoholism or other nutritional impairments Alpine scurvy, maidism, mal de la rosa, mal rosso, mayidism, Saint Ignatius' itch avitaminosis, hypovitaminosis - any of several diseases caused by deficiency of one or more vitamins