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."
双语例句
1. Oranges, lemons and limes were found to cure scurvy.
人们发现橙子、柠檬和酸橙能治疗坏血病。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Vitamin C deficiency can ultimately lead to scurvy.
缺乏维生素C最终能道致坏血病.
来自《简明英汉词典》
3. No fear of scurvy or ship fever this voyage.
那就不必担心路上得坏血症或斑疹伤寒这类疾病了!
来自英汉文学 - 红字
4. He's a scurvy wretch.
他是个卑鄙的家伙.
来自辞典例句
5. That was a scurvy trick to play on an old lady.