Beriberi Definition
bĕrē-bĕrē
noun
A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine, endemic in eastern and southern Asia and characterized by neurological symptoms, cardiovascular abnormalities, and edema.
American Heritage
A deficiency disease caused by lack of vitamin B1, thiamine, in the diet: it is characterized by nerve disorders and, sometimes, by edema due to heart dysfunction.
Webster's New World
A disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine, characterized by neurological symptoms, cardiovascular abnormalities, and edema, and occurring chiefly in individuals whose diet consists largely of polished rice.
American Heritage Medicine
(pathology) An ailment caused by a deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), leading to lethargy and organ complications.
Wiktionary
Origin of Beriberi
-
Borrowed from Sinhalese, reduplication of [script?] (beri, “weakness”).
From Wiktionary
Sinhalese reduplication of beri weakness
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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