starvation
UK: stɑːˈveɪʃən | US: stɑːrˈveɪʃən
n. the state of suffering or dying from hunger
n. a severe lack of food over a prolonged period
The word "starvation" combines the Old English verb "steorfan" (meaning "to die," later specialized to "die of hunger") with the noun-forming suffix "-ation." Originally, "starve" in Middle English broadly meant "to perish," but by the 16th century, it narrowed to its current sense of suffering from lack of food. The suffix "-ation" (from Latin "-atio") was added in the 18th century to create the noun form, emphasizing the prolonged or systemic condition of hunger.
The famine led to widespread starvation in the region.
Rescue teams delivered food to prevent further starvation.
Chronic starvation weakens the immune system.
Images of child starvation shocked the world.
Scientists study the effects of starvation on metabolism.