privation
UK: prɪˈveɪʃ(ə)n | US: praɪˈveɪʃ(ə)n
n. the lack of basic necessities or comforts of life
n. the state of being deprived of something, especially a right or privilege
n. (archaic) the condition of being without a specified quality or attribute
privation = priv<deprive> + ation<noun suffix>
- priv<deprive>: From Latin privare ("to deprive, strip, or release"), derived from privus ("individual, separate"). The root implies removal or loss.
- ation<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns denoting an action or its result, from Latin -atio.
Etymology Origin:
The word "privation" traces back to Latin privatio, meaning "a taking away." It entered Middle English via Old French, retaining its core sense of deprivation. The root priv- reflects the concept of separation or loss (e.g., "private" = withdrawn from public, "deprive" = take away). Over time, "privation" narrowed to emphasize the absence of essentials or rights, aligning with its Latin logic of stripping something away.
The refugees endured years of privation during the war.
His sudden privation of freedom left him disoriented.
The documentary highlighted the privation faced by homeless communities.
Medieval winters often brought privation to rural villages.
Philosophers debate whether evil is merely the privation of good.