Hungered Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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hungered

[หˆhสŒล‹ษกษ™rd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

desire for food

The term 'hungered' is the past tense of 'hunger,' which means to have a strong desire or craving for food. It can also denote an intense need for something essential, such as recognition or success. Hungering can be physical, emotional, or even metaphorical. Often, it conveys a sense of urgency and deep longing that goes beyond mere want. When someone has hungered for something, it indicates a significant and often consuming desire.

Synonyms

craved, desired, longed for, yearned.

Examples of usage

  • After a long hike, I hungered for a hearty meal.
  • She hungered for approval from her peers.
  • The children hungered for adventure during summer vacation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, sharing a meal when you feel 'hungered' signifies friendship and community.
  • Different traditions around the world have unique foods associated with quenching hunger, like rice in Asia or bread in Europe.
  • Literature often uses hunger metaphorically to describe deep longing or desire beyond food, like emotional or spiritual hunger.

Psychology

  • Psychologists note that hunger is closely linked to emotions; stress and sadness can intensify the feeling of wanting food.
  • Hunger signals can be influenced by social situations, such as eating more when having fun with friends.
  • The feeling of hunger can also have physical effects, making people tired or irritable if not addressed.

Historical Context

  • Throughout history, famines have shown how societies react to extreme hunger, often leading to significant changes in governance and economy.
  • Ancient civilizations developed many agricultural techniques to combat hunger, laying the foundation for modern farming.
  • Wars and conflicts have frequently led to food shortages, highlighting how hunger can drive societal changes or migrations.

Health and Nutrition

  • The body signals hunger as a way to tell us we need nutrients to function well.
  • Understanding our hungers, such as for emotional comfort versus physical food, plays an important role in healthy eating.
  • Nutritionists indicate that eating slowly can help recognize real hunger signals and prevent overeating.

Origin of 'hungered'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English word 'hungriga', which means 'having hunger'.
  • It has roots in Germanic languages, showing the concept of a strong desire for food has been around for centuries.
  • Related words in other languages, like 'hunger' in German, reveal how many cultures express the need for food.

The word 'hunger' originates from the Old English term 'hungor,' which is related to the Proto-Germanic 'hungriz' and the Proto-Indo-European root '*hโ‚engสทสฐ-' meaning 'to be hungry.' Over centuries, it has evolved in various Germanic languages, maintaining the core meaning associated with a strong need for food. The use of 'hungered' as the past tense is rooted in Middle English, where the term was often used to describe not only the physical state of needing food but also the emotional or spiritual longing. In literature, hunger has been a recurring theme, symbolizing desires beyond mere physical needs, resonating with concepts of ambition and yearning. Thus, 'hungered' carries with it not just a historical context, but also cultural significance in expressing profound desires.


Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,138 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.