/stahrv/ , v. , starved, starving .
v.i.
1. to die or perish from lack of food or nourishment.
2. to be in the process of perishing or suffering severely from hunger.
3. to suffer from extreme poverty and need.
4. to feel a strong need or desire: The child was starving for affection.
5. Chiefly Brit. Dial. to perish or suffer extremely from cold.
6. Obs. to die.
v.t.
7. to cause to starve; kill, weaken, or reduce by lack of food.
8. to subdue, or force to some condition or action, by hunger: to starve a besieged garrison into a surrender.
9. to cause to suffer for lack of something needed or craved.
10. Chiefly Brit. Dial. to cause to perish, or to suffer extremely, from cold.
[ bef. 1000; ME sterven, OE steorfan to die; c. G sterben ]