sprue

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈsprü 

1

: the waste piece on a casting (as of metal or plastic) left by the hole through which the mold was filled

2

: the hole in which a sprue forms

sprue

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: a disease of tropical regions that is of unknown cause and is characterized by fatty diarrhea and malabsorption of nutrients

called also tropical sprue

2

: celiac disease

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

origin unknown

Noun (2)

Dutch spruw; akin to Middle Low German sprūwe, a kind of tumor

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

1880, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sprue

• tropical sprue

Medical Definition

sprue

noun

ˈsprü 

1

: celiac disease

2

: tropical sprue