Hunger vs Starve
Although both hunger and starve relate to the need for food, there is a significant difference between the two terms. Hunger can function as both a noun and a verb, while starve is solely a verb. The noun form of starve is starvation. Hunger originates from the Old English word hungor, while starve comes from the Old English word steorfan. In the United States, the term “starve the beast” is a common phrase.
What does Hunger mean?
Hunger refers to the feeling of appetite caused by the emptying of the stomach. One key distinction between hunger and starve is that hunger is a natural, physiological process. Hunger can be satisfied by consuming sufficient solid and liquid food.
What does Starve mean?
Starve, on the other hand, is an exercise where a person trains themselves to live without food. The term is often used in the context of fasting. People sometimes fast as a form of protest against wrongdoing or crime. Unlike hunger, which is a natural process, starve is an artificial process brought about by a person’s will and desire. It is important to note that poverty can also lead to starvation, where people are unable to buy food due to a lack of money. This type of starvation is not self-inflicted. In such cases, individuals may starve to death. Starvation can be ended by consuming water or solid food. People sometimes undertake starvation as part of a diet plan to reduce body weight and lower bad LDL cholesterol levels. Starvation involves a low daily intake of calories.
Key Takeaways
- Hunger is a natural, physiological process that occurs when the stomach is empty, while starve is an artificial process brought on by a person’s will and desire.
- Hunger can be satisfied by consuming sufficient food, while starvation can be ended by consuming water or solid food.
- Starvation can be voluntary, such as in fasting, or involuntary, such as in cases of poverty where individuals lack the means to buy food.
