ˈfamish, -mēsh, esp in pres part -məsh verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Middle English famishen, probably alteration (influenced by such verbs as finishen to finish) of famen to famish, starve, modification of Middle French afamer, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin affamare, from Latin ad- + (assumed) Vulgar Latin -famare (from Latin fames hunger)
transitive verb
1. : to reduce to extremities for lack of food or other necessities — usually used in passive
both were dirty, travel-weary, famished for food and slumber — David Walden
2. archaic : to kill by withholding food or water : cause to starve
did he marry me to famish me? — Shakespeare
intransitive verb
1. archaic : to die for lack of food : starve
they suffer us to famish and their storehouses crammed with grain — Shakespeare
2. archaic : to suffer for lack of something necessary
you are all resolved rather to die than to famish — Shakespeare
you famish for promotion — Benjamin Disraeli