starve

starve

verb \ˈstärv\

starvedstarv·ing

Definition of STARVE

intransitive verb

1

a : to perish from lack of food b : to suffer extreme hunger

2

a archaic : to die of cold b British : to suffer greatly from cold

3

: to suffer or perish from deprivation <starved for affection>

transitive verb

1

a : to kill with hunger b : to deprive of nourishment c : to cause to capitulate by or as if by depriving of nourishment

2

: to destroy by or cause to suffer from deprivation

3

archaic : to kill with cold

Examples of STARVE

1. Without food they would starve.
2. They left him to starve out in the desert.
3. providing food for starving children
4. They tried to starve their enemies into submission.
5. It was clear that the dog had been starved.
6. You don't have to starve yourself to lose weight.

Origin of STARVE

Middle English sterven to die, starve, from Old English steorfan to die; akin to Old High German sterban to die, and probably to Lithuanian starinti to stiffen — more at stare

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with STARVE

carve, varve