Famine
/ˈfæm.ɪn/noun
Extreme scarcity of food in a region, leading to widespread hunger.
Did you know?The word 'famine' has links to ancient rituals where hunger was seen as a punishment from the gods, reflecting the power of primal cravings.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰem-
“to build or establish, often associated with the creation of sustenance.”
Latin
Latin
fames
“hunger, starvation, or famine, also implying a craving or insatiable appetite.”
Old French
Old French
famine
“hunger, deprivation of food, carrying the sense of dire need.”
Middle English
Middle English
famine
“extreme hunger or scarcity of food, often linked to catastrophic events.”
Modern English
English
famine
“severe shortage of food, often leading to mass starvation.”