The word "sprue" is spelt as /spruː/. It is a noun that can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It can refer to a type of tropical disease that affects the digestive system, or to a small channel or hole in a metal casting through which excess material can be removed. The spelling of "sprue" may be confusing to some, as the combination of letters "spr" might suggest a different pronunciation. However, the IPA phonetic transcription accurately represents the pronunciation of this word.
Sprue is a term with multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. One of its primary definitions relates to a medical condition known as celiac sprue, or simply celiac disease. This is a chronic digestive disorder in which individuals are unable to tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Consumption of gluten triggers an immune response that damages the small intestine, resulting in a variety of symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.
In the field of manufacturing and casting, sprue refers to a channel or passage through which molten material, such as metal or plastic, is poured into a mold. This channel allows the material to flow and fill the mold cavity, shaping the final product. The sprue is later removed, leaving behind a void called the sprue mark.
Furthermore, sprue is also associated with a specific part of a plant called a tree fungus. These fungi, commonly known as "sprue," grow on trees, specifically on decaying wood, and release spores as a means of reproduction.
Lastly, the term sprue can also refer to a cosmetic defect on molded plastic products. It is characterized by small protrusions or imperfections caused by the mold injection process. These sprues often need to be carefully removed or trimmed to ensure a smooth finish on the final product.
1. Aphthae, thrush. 2. Tropical diarrhea, psilosis; a chronic remitting catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membrane of the alimentary tract, occurring in the tropics, characterized by stomatitis, diarrhea, anemia, and emaciation. 3. In mechanical dentistry, a piece of wood or metal used for making the ingate when casting molten metal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "sprue" has a somewhat complex etymology. It originally comes from the Middle English word "sprote", meaning "shoot" or "twig". This word was likely derived from the Old English word "sprota", which also meant "twig".In the mid-16th century, the word "sprue" began to be used in English to refer to a disease of plants that caused the withering and premature dropping of leaves, shoots, or fruit. This usage likely adopted the term from various dialects of Low German, where "sprühen" meant "to splatter" or "to spray".During the 19th century, the word "sprue" took on a medical meaning. It became associated with a chronic, tropical disease known as "tropical sprue". The medical term "sprue" originates from the Dutch word "spruw", which referred to a skin disease affecting infants.