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pellagra

Syllabification: (pel·la·gra)
Pronunciation: /pəˈlagrə, -ˈlāgrə, -ˈlägrə/
Definition of pellagra

noun

  • a deficiency disease caused by a lack of nicotinic acid or its precursor tryptophan in the diet. It is characterized by dermatitis, diarrhea, and mental disturbance, and is often linked to overdependence on corn as a staple food.

Derivatives

pellagrous

Pronunciation: /-grəs/
adjective

Origin:

early 19th century: from Italian, from pelle 'skin', on the pattern of podagra

pellagra in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of pellagra in the British & World English dictionary

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