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Origin and history of pellagra

pellagra(n.)

chronic disease caused by dietary deficiency (formerly blamed on diseased grain) and characterized by dry, red skin, 1811, from Italian (1770s); according to Watkins, a hybrid formed from Latin pellis "skin" (from PIE root *pel- (3) "skin, hide") + Greek agra "a catching, seizure," related to agrein "to take, seize." But OED suggests it might be originally Italian pelle agra "rough skin." Related: Pellagrous.

also from 1811

Entries linking to pellagra

*pel-(3)

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "skin, hide."

It might form all or part of: erysipelas; fell (n.2) "skin or hide of an animal;" film; pell; pellagra; pellicle; pelt (n.) "skin of a fur-bearing animal;" pillion; surplice.

It might also be the source of: Greek pella, Latin pellis "skin;" Old English filmen "membrane, thin skin, foreskin."

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    Trending
    Dictionary entries near pellagra
    • Pelasgian
    • *pele-
    • pelf
    • pelican
    • pell
    • pellagra
    • pellet
    • pellicle
    • pell-mell
    • pellucid
    • Peloponnesus
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