emaciate

[ih-mey-shee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

emaciated, emaciating 

1. to make abnormally lean or thin by a gradual wasting away of flesh.

emaciate

/ ɪˈmeɪsɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. (usually tr) to become or cause to become abnormally thin

Other Word Forms

• emaciation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of emaciate¹

1640–50; < Latin ēmaciātus, wasted away, equivalent to ē- e- ¹ + maciātus, past participle of maciāre to produce leanness ( maci ( ēs ) leanness + -ātus -ate ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of emaciate¹

C17: from Latin ēmaciāre to make lean, from macer thin

Example Sentences

Penelope Chandrie's emaciated and bruised body was found wrapped in a sheet at the family home in Hayes, west London, on 17 December 2023.

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“The owner was offered assistance to rehome the emaciated horses. He declined,” the county said in a news release.

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Recent images show the hostages suffering and emaciated.

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Most on board were soldiers with sunken cheeks, emaciated after their years behind bars.

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Meanwhile, a Gazan woman who was evacuated to Italy for treatment while severely emaciated has died in hospital.

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Related Words

• blow 
• consume 
• deplete 
• dissipate 
• divert 
• drain 
• exhaust 
• lavish 
• lose 
• misuse 
• squander 
• undermine