starve
starve
UK[stɑːv]US[stɑːrv]
v
to suffer or die because you do not have enough food to eat
v
to make someone suffer or die in this way
v
to feel very hungry (informal)
Etymology
the modern english verb 'starve' originates from the old english word 'steorfan', which broadly meant 'to die'. this old english term is itself descended from the proto-germanic 'sterbaną', also carrying the core meaning 'to die'. over time in english, the meaning of 'steorfan' specialized, narrowing from the general concept of dying to specifically dying from lack of food. this semantic shift from a general to a specific cause of death illustrates a common pattern of lexical specialization. the related german word 'sterben' retains the original, broader meaning of 'to die'.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from a single old english root.
Examples
during the harsh winter, many animals were in danger of starving.
the cruel dictator used food as a weapon to starve the population into submission.
i haven't eaten since breakfast—i'm starving!