pellagra
noun
pel·la·gra pə-ˈla-grə 
-ˈlā- -ˈlä-
-ˈlā- -ˈlä- : a disease marked by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and mental disturbances and associated with a diet deficient in niacin
pellagrous
pə-ˈla-grəs
adjective -ˈlā-
-ˈlä-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Often, pellagra is brought on by diets high in corn products and alcohol. 
Stanley Stepanic, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2021 Investigations [of] diseases like hookworm and pellagra and attempts to control the spread of malaria, to control mosquitoes, and then gradually take on more and more of these responsibilities. The Atlantic, 27 May 2021 Malnutrition, pellagra, hookworm, and other parasites were ubiquitous. Kevin Baker, Harper's magazine, 10 May 2019 One of Zuckerman’s graduate students inspected cross-sections of bones to find evidence of pellagra, or vitamin B deficiency. Washington Post, 23 May 2018 When the first hamster in the group cannibalized its litter, Tissier worried that pellagra was another false lead. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 After six months, all of the prisoners had developed pellagra. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 Doctors quickly eradicated pellagra in the United States and Europe with vitamin B3 supplements and balanced diets. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 But once researchers discovered the B3 connection and regulations required the vitamin B3, also known as niacin, be added to corn meal, the pellagra outbreaks stopped. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 2 Feb. 2017 See More
Stanley Stepanic, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2021 Investigations [of] diseases like hookworm and pellagra and attempts to control the spread of malaria, to control mosquitoes, and then gradually take on more and more of these responsibilities. The Atlantic, 27 May 2021 Malnutrition, pellagra, hookworm, and other parasites were ubiquitous. Kevin Baker, Harper's magazine, 10 May 2019 One of Zuckerman’s graduate students inspected cross-sections of bones to find evidence of pellagra, or vitamin B deficiency. Washington Post, 23 May 2018 When the first hamster in the group cannibalized its litter, Tissier worried that pellagra was another false lead. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 After six months, all of the prisoners had developed pellagra. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 Doctors quickly eradicated pellagra in the United States and Europe with vitamin B3 supplements and balanced diets. Ben Crair, Smithsonian, 21 Feb. 2018 But once researchers discovered the B3 connection and regulations required the vitamin B3, also known as niacin, be added to corn meal, the pellagra outbreaks stopped. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 2 Feb. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Italian, from pelle skin (from Latin pellis) + -agra (as in podagra, from Latin)
First Known Use
circa 1811, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
pellagra
noun
pel·la·gra pə-ˈla-grə
-ˈlā-
: a disease caused by a diet containing too little protein and too little of a necessary vitamin
Medical Definition
pellagra
noun
pel·la·gra pə-ˈlag-rə -ˈlāg- -ˈläg-
-ˈlāg- -ˈläg- : a disease marked by dermatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, mental disturbance, and memory loss and associated with a diet deficient in niacin and protein compare kwashiorkor