Definition of starve

The origins of the word "starve" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as "steorfan" and meant "to perish, die." Its roots can be found in two Anglo-Saxon words: "star," meaning "without food," and "fænan," meaning "to loose, letgo, or yield up." The Old English term, "steorfan," eventually evolved into Middle English "steruen" and Old French "estrever" before finally settling into the modern English word "starve" which first appeared in the 14th century. The word retained its connections to hunger and poverty throughout its development, with its use in literature and records often describing impoverished individuals struggling to find food and avoiding starvation through acts of charity or resourcefulness. The etymological connections to starvation and death are still present in contemporary usage, with the term "starve" conveying a sense of urgent, life-threatening hunger. However, in medical contexts, it has also been adopted to describe more specific instances of medically induced malnutrition, such as the intentional withholding of food in the case of terminal illness or the use of starvation as a form of punishment or torture in extreme circumstances. Overall, the meaning and association of "starve" have remained largely consistent throughout its evolution from Old English to modern English, providing a sobering reminder of the profound impact that hunger and deprivation can have on human lives.