Famishing - Definition, Meaning, and Examples in English

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

extreme hunger

Famishing describes a state of extreme hunger or starvation. It conveys a feeling of desperate need for food, often accompanied by physical weakness and discomfort. The term can also imply a sense of urgency in the need for nourishment, suggesting that the individual is suffering due to a lack of food. This condition can be a result of various factors, including famine, illness, or poverty.

Synonyms

hunger-stricken, insatiable, ravenous, starving.

Examples of usage

After days in the wilderness, I was famishing for a proper meal.
The refugees were famishing and in urgent need of aid.
She felt famishing after skipping breakfast and lunch.

Interesting Facts

Cultural References

In many cultures, sharing food is a common way to alleviate hunger, making feasts and communal meals central to social gatherings.
Literature often depicts hungry characters as desperate or in dire situations, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of hunger.

Health and Nutrition

Prolonged famishing can lead to severe health problems, including malnutrition and organ failure, emphasizing the need for a balanced diet.
Experiencing hunger can trigger physiological responses, such as increased cortisol levels, affecting mood and energy.

Psychology

Hunger significantly impacts cognitive function, with studies suggesting that starving individuals may have difficulty making decisions.
The feeling of being famished can lead to irritability and anxiety, showcasing the connection between hunger and emotional well-being.

Literature

In Charles Dickens' 'Oliver Twist', the character Oliver famously asks for more food, highlighting the plight of the famishing in Victorian society.
Poets often evoke hunger as a metaphor for longing or desire, illustrating how the feeling can extend beyond physical needs.

Origin of 'famishing'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from Middle English 'famisshen', meaning to starve or suffer from hunger.
It is derived from the Latin 'fames', which means hunger or famine, reflecting the word’s deep roots in expressing extreme need for food.

The word 'famishing' originates from the late 14th century, derived from the Middle English term 'famishen', which means 'to make hungry or to cause to starve'. This, in turn, comes from the Old French 'famir', based on the Latin 'fames', meaning 'hunger' or 'famine'. The evolution of this term reflects societal concerns about food security and the impact of hunger on human wellbeing. Over the centuries, 'famishing' has been used in literature and discourse to describe not just physical hunger, but also metaphorical hunger for knowledge, success, or emotional connection. As the global understanding of nutrition and food distribution has progressed, the term continues to evoke strong imagery of deprivation and urgency.

Famishing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations