inanition

[ in-uh-nish-uhn ]

noun

1. exhaustion from lack of nourishment; starvation.
2. lack of vigor; lethargy.

inanition

/ ˌɪnəˈnɪʃən /

noun

1. exhaustion resulting from lack of food
2. mental, social, or spiritual weakness or lassitude

Word History and Origins

Origin of inanition¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin inānitiōn- (stem of inānitiō “emptiness”); inane, -ition

Word History and Origins

Origin of inanition¹

C14: from Late Latin inānītio emptiness, from Latin inānis empty; see inane

Example Sentences

In a sense, just curled up like a ball, or waiting to die from inanition.

From The Daily Beast

The very thought in his estimation perished from inanition and sheer inability of conception!

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Black says, I shall not die of a dropsy, as I imagined, but of inanition and weakness.

From Project Gutenberg

He says I shall die of weakness and inanition, and perhaps give little or no warning.

From Project Gutenberg

For fuel is the life of modern naval war; it is the food of the ship; without it the modern monsters of the deep die of inanition.

From Project Gutenberg

The length of time that he sat there was so remarkable as to raise that interval of inanition to the rank of a feat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• apathy
• disinterest
• drowsiness
• inactivity