famish

[ fam-ish ]

verb (used with or without object)

, Archaic.

1. to suffer or cause to suffer extreme hunger; starve.
2. to starve to death.

famish

/ ˈfæmɪʃ /

verb

1. now usually passive to be or make very hungry or weak
2. archaic.
   to die or cause to die from starvation
3. to make very cold

   I was famished with the cold

Derived Forms

• ˈfamishment, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of famish¹

1350–1400; Middle English famisshe, equivalent to famen to starve (< Anglo-French, Middle French afamer < Vulgar Latin *affamāre, equivalent to Latin af- af- + famāre, derivative of famēs hunger) + -isshe -ish ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of famish¹

C14: from Old French afamer , via Vulgar Latin, from Latin famēs famine

Example Sentences

The “cryes and teares of the poore, who professe they are almost ready to famish”, wrote John Wildman in 1648, prompted fears that “a sudden confusion would follow.”

From Singularity Hub 

But the tendency to famish us displayed by our Rulers was not calculated to improve the morale of a civilian, or any, army.

From Project Gutenberg

Never varlets So triumph'd o'er an old fat man: I was famish'd.

From Project Gutenberg

Unless, like the King of Babylon, they were to eat grass in the fashion of beasts, it seemed they must soon famish.

From Project Gutenberg

But, in the interim, she must starve and famish like a white mouse learning to dance.'

From Project Gutenberg

Domitius therefore by preparing for his defence, and Marsus by seeming determined to famish, both protracted their lives.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abstain