noun

starvation

starvation, extreme hunger

Many people died of starvation.

Many people died of starvation.

The animals were close to starvation.

The animals were close to starvation.

to die of starvation to die because of a lack of food Many people died of starvation.

to be close to starvation to be very hungry The animals were close to starvation.

Synonyms: famine, malnutrition, hunger; Antonyms: satiety, fullness

From the verb 'to starve', from Old English 'steorfan' (to die), plus the noun-forming suffix '-ation'.

Think of a 'star' that has run out of fuel and is dying - similar to dying from lack of food.

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