different between contemptible vs scurvy

English

Alternative forms

• contemptable (archaic, nonstandard)

Etymology

Ultimately from Latin contemptibilis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?t?mpt?b?l/

Adjective

contemptible (comparative more contemptible, superlative most contemptible)

1. deserving contempt

Synonyms

• despicable
• disdainable
• hateworthy
• See also Thesaurus:despicable

Antonyms

• respectable
• venerable

Translations

English

Etymology

Noun usage possibly from the adjective scurvy influenced by or a variant of scurfy. Took on meaning of Dutch scheurbuik, French scorbut (“scurvy”), possibly from Old Norse skyrbjúgr, skyr (“sour milk”) + bjúgr (“swelling, tumour”) whence the Icelandic skyrbjúgur (“scurvy”). Compare German Scharbock, Late Latin scorbutus. Alternatively from Middle Dutch, from Middle Low German.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -??(?)vi

Noun

scurvy (usually uncountable, plural scurvies)

1. (medicine) A disease caused by insufficient intake of vitamin C leading to the formation of livid spots on the skin, spongy gums, loosening of the teeth and bleeding into the skin and from almost all mucous membranes.

Synonyms

• (vitamin C deficiency disease): Barlow's disease, Cheadle-Möller-Barlow syndrome, Cheadle's disease, land scurvy, Moeller's disease, Möller-Barlow disease, scorbutus

Derived terms

• scurvy grass

Related terms

• -scorbic
• scorbic
• ascorbic
• scorbutic

Translations

Adjective

scurvy (comparative scurvier, superlative scurviest)

1. Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby; scurfy; specifically, diseased with the scurvy.
2. Contemptible, despicable, low, disgustingly mean.

   a scurvy trick; a scurvy knave

Synonyms

• (affected with scurf or scabs): roynish, scabrous; see also Thesaurus:scabby
• (contemptible): miserable, paltry, shabby; see also Thesaurus:despicable

Derived terms

• scurvily
• scurviness

Translations

See also

• morphew

References

• scurvy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “scurvy”, in Online Etymology Dictionary
• Oxford English Dictionary, 1884–1928, and First Supplement, 1933.
• Who Named It? last accessed 28-Mar-2007