/fam"in/ , n.
1. extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a country or a large geographical area.
2. any extreme and general scarcity.
3. extreme hunger; starvation.
[ 1325-75; ME faim hunger ( fames ); see -INE 2 ]
Syn. 2. dearth, paucity, poverty, meagerness, scantness.