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View synonyms for famish

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



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Derived Forms

  • ˈfamishment, noun

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of famish1

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

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Example Sentences

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

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

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

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

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

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