starveling

American  

[stahrv-ling] / ˈstɑrv lɪŋ /

noun

1. a person, animal, or plant that is starving.

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adjective

1. starving; suffering from lack of nourishment.

2. pining with want.

3. poverty-stricken.

4. poor in condition or quality.

5. such as to entail or suggest starvation.

starveling British  

/ ˈstɑːvlɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. a starving or poorly fed person, animal, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a starveling child

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adjective

1. insufficient; meagre; scant

Etymology

Origin of starveling

First recorded in 1540–50; starve + -ling ¹

Example Sentences

It remained an organizational starveling until Foy Valentine became its executive secretary five years ago.

From Time Magazine Archive

Like many another Irishman, he sees the skull beneath the skin, just as his starveling heroes see the sharp rocks gnaw through the thin soil.

From Time Magazine Archive

Army and on July 4, with the rank of brigadier general, took over command of the Fourteenth's predecessor, the starveling China Air Task Force.

From Time Magazine Archive

Instinctively they recognize in this starveling stray a truly independent spirit.

From Time Magazine Archive

“I’m sure Jamison would rush out here with a box of chocolates and a featherbed if he knew there was a starveling half-cracked student living under his University. They’d crock her and you know it.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss