sprue Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a chronic disorder that occurs in tropical and non-tropical forms and in both children and adults; nutrients are not absorbed; symptoms include foul-smelling diarrhea and emaciation
    tropical sprue; psilosis.

WordNet


Sprue noun
Etymology
Etymol. uncertain.
Definitions
  1. (Founding) (a) Strictly, the hole through which melted metal is poured into the gate, and thence into the mold. (b) The waste piece of metal cast in this hole; hence, dross.
  2. (Med.) Same as Sprew.

Webster 1913