beriberi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareMedical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “beriberi” mean?
A nutritional deficiency disease caused by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), characterized by weakness, nerve damage, and heart problems.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A nutritional deficiency disease caused by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), characterized by weakness, nerve damage, and heart problems.
A severe, often fatal, vitamin deficiency disorder historically prevalent in regions with polished rice-based diets.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling.
Connotations
Equally technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low in general use, but may appear slightly more frequently in UK media due to historical colonial ties to affected regions.
Grammar
How to Use “beriberi” in a Sentence
The patient suffers from beriberi.A diet of polished rice caused beriberi in the population.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “beriberi” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The beriberi patients were isolated.
- A beriberi epidemic was feared.
American English
- Beriberi symptoms can be severe.
- The beriberi ward was full.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in medical, historical, and public health writing.
Everyday
Extremely rare; might be referenced in discussions of historical diseases or extreme malnutrition.
Technical
Standard term in medicine and nutrition science for the specific disease.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “beriberi”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “beriberi”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beriberi”
- Spelling as 'berry berry' or 'beri beri' without the hyphen.
- Using it as a general term for any sickness.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is rare in developed countries due to food fortification and varied diets, but it still occurs in areas with chronic malnutrition, especially where polished rice is a staple.
'Wet beriberi' involves fluid accumulation (edema) and heart failure. 'Dry beriberi' involves nerve damage and muscle wasting without significant swelling.
Yes, promptly with thiamine supplements. If treated early, most damage can be reversed, but advanced cases can cause permanent nerve or heart damage.
The word is derived from Sinhala (Sri Lanka), meaning 'weakness' or 'I cannot,' doubling the word for emphasis ('beri' meaning weakness).
A nutritional deficiency disease caused by a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1), characterized by weakness, nerve damage, and heart problems.
Beriberi is usually medical/technical in register.
Beriberi: in British English it is pronounced /ˌber.iˈber.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɛriˈbɛri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Beri-Beri' sounds like 'very weary,' which fits the extreme weakness caused by the disease.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS A THIEF (steals strength and health).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary cause of beriberi?