emaciation
UK[ɪˌmeɪsiˈeɪʃn]US[ɪˌmeɪʃiˈeɪʃn]
n
the state of being extremely thin and weak, especially because of illness or lack of food.
Morpheme Breakdown
e
maci
ation
e
out of, thoroughly
maci
leanness, thinness
ation
Etymology
the word 'emaciation' traces its lineage directly to latin. it is built upon the noun 'maciēs', which specifically denotes leanness or wasting. the intensive latin prefix 'ex-' (here reduced to 'e-') was added to form the verb 'emaciāre', meaning 'to make lean, to waste away'. the english noun 'emaciation' was subsequently derived by appending the noun-forming suffix '-ation', which indicates a state or condition. thus, the literal construction 'a state of being made thoroughly lean' perfectly captures the modern medical and descriptive meaning of abnormal thinness due to wasting.
Analysis
Structure: e + maci + ation
e: from latin prefix 'ex-', meaning 'out of, thoroughly'.
maci: from latin root 'maciēs', meaning 'leanness, thinness'.
ation: from latin suffix '-ātiōn-', forming nouns of action or state.
Examples
the photographs from the famine starkly depicted the severe emaciation of the children.
advanced stages of the illness often lead to profound weakness and emaciation.
the veterinarian was concerned about the dog's sudden emaciation and ordered a series of tests.