1560s, noun use of adjective scurvy "covered with scabs, diseased, scorbutic" (early 15c.), variant of scurfy. It took on the narrower meaning of Dutch scheurbuik, French scorbut "scurvy," in reference to the disease characterized by swollen and bleeding gums, prostration, etc., perhaps from Old Norse skyrbjugr, which is perhaps literally "a swelling (bjugr) from drinking sour milk (skyr) on long sea voyages;" but OED has alternative etymology of Middle Dutch or Middle Low German origin, as "disease that lacerates the belly," from schoren "to lacerate" + Middle Low German buk, Dutch buik "belly."
雙語例句
1. Oranges, lemons and limes were found to cure scurvy.
人們發(fā)現(xiàn)橙子、檸檬和酸橙能治療壞血病。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Vitamin C deficiency can ultimately lead to scurvy.
缺乏維生素C最終能道致壞血病.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
3. No fear of scurvy or ship fever this voyage.
那就不必擔心路上得壞血癥或斑疹傷寒這類疾病了!
來自英漢文學 - 紅字
4. He's a scurvy wretch.
他是個卑鄙的家伙.
來自辭典例句
5. That was a scurvy trick to play on an old lady.