emaciate

[ ih-mey-shee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, e·ma·ci·at·ed, e·ma·ci·at·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• eˌmaciˈation, 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

His bountiful and generous nature could profit by a spell of training that would emaciate a poorer stock.

From Project Gutenberg

Sickness diminished the ranks, and emaciate men, haggard and way-worn, tottered painfully along the rugged ways.

From Project Gutenberg

The features become sharper, and sometimes the whole body begins to emaciate, while the pulse quickens.

From Project Gutenberg

Famine strode through all the streets, covering the pavements with the emaciate corpses of the dead.

From Project Gutenberg

He retired a fugitive with eight thousand men in his train, ragged, emaciate and mutilated.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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