Part 150

A scurrile or obscene jest will better advance you at the court of Charles than your father's ancient name.

Sir W. Scott.

Scur*ril"i*ty (?), n. [L. scurrilitas: cf. F. scurrilité.] 1. The quality or state of being scurrile or scurrilous; mean, vile, or obscene jocularity.

Your reasons . . . have been sharp and sententious, pleasant without scurrility.

Shak.

2. That which is scurrile or scurrilous; gross or obscene language; low buffoonery; vulgar abuse.

Interrupting prayers and sermons with clamor and scurrility.

Macaulay.

Syn. -- Scurrilousness; abuse; insolence; vulgarity; indecency.

Scur"ril*ous (?), a. [See Scurrile.] 1. Using the low and indecent language of the meaner sort of people, or such as only the license of buffoons can warrant; as, a scurrilous fellow.

2. Containing low indecency or abuse; mean; foul; vile; obscenely jocular; as, scurrilous language.

The absurd and scurrilous sermon which had very unwisely been honored with impeachment.

Macaulay.

Syn. -- Opprobrious; abusive; reproachful; insulting; insolent; offensive; gross; vile; vulgar; low; foul; foul-mouthed; indecent; scurrile; mean.

-- Scur"ril*ous*ly, adv. -- Scur"ril*ous*ness, n.

Scur"rit (?), n. (Zoöl.) The lesser tern (Sterna minuta). [Prov. Eng.]

Scur"ry (?), v. i. [Cf. Scur, Skirr.] To hasten away or along; to move rapidly; to hurry; as, the rabbit scurried away.

Scur"ry, n. Act of scurrying; hurried movement.

Scur"vi*ly (?), adv. In a scurvy manner.

Scur"vi*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being scurvy; vileness; meanness.

Scur"vy (?), a. [Compar. Scurvier (?); superl. Scurviest.] [From Scurf; cf. Scurvy, n.] 1. Covered or affected with scurf or scabs; scabby; scurfy; specifically, diseased with the scurvy. "Whatsoever man . . . be scurvy or scabbed." Lev. xxi. 18, 20.

2. Vile; mean; low; vulgar; contemptible. "A scurvy trick." Ld. Lytton.

That scurvy custom of taking tobacco.

Swift.

spoke spoke such scurvy and provoking terms.

Shak.

Scur"vy, n. [Probably from the same source as scorbute, but influenced by scurf, scurfy, scurvy, adj.; cf. D. scheurbuik scurvy, G. scharbock, LL. scorbutus. Cf. Scorbute.] (Med.) A disease characterized by livid spots, especially about the thighs and legs, due to extravasation of blood, and by spongy gums, and bleeding from almost all the mucous membranes. It is accompanied by paleness, languor, depression, and general debility. It is occasioned by confinement, innutritious food, and hard labor, but especially by lack of fresh vegetable food, or confinement for a long time to a limited range of food, which is incapable of repairing the waste of the system. It was formerly prevalent among sailors and soldiers.

Scurvy grass [Scurvy + grass; or cf. Icel. skarfakl scurvy grass.] (Bot.) A kind of cress (Cochlearia officinalis) growing along the seacoast of Northern Europe and in arctic regions. It is a remedy for the scurvy, and has proved a valuable food to arctic explorers. The name is given also to other allied species of plants.