Main Entry: ¹hun·ger

Pronunciation: \ˈhəŋ-gər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hungor; akin to Old High German hungar hunger, Lithuanian kanka torture

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient b : an uneasy sensation occasioned by the lack of food c : a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food
2 : a strong desire : craving <a hunger for success>

— from hunger : very bad or inept <the jokes were from hunger — Mordecai Richler>