Definition of the word gaunt

The word "gaunt" has its roots in Old English and Old Norse. The Old English word "gān" means "thin" or "wasted," while the Old Norse word "gantu" means "emaciated" or "withered." In Middle English (circa 11th-15th centuries), the word "gaunt" emerged, initially meaning "thin" or "emaciated" in a physical sense. Over time, the word's connotation expanded to include a sense of poverty, hunger, or privation. In modern English, "gaunt" typically describes something or someone that is thin, pale, and worn out, often due to disease, poverty, or hardship. The word can also be used figuratively to describe a place or atmosphere that is bleak, desolate, or oppressive. The origin of the word "gaunt" highlights the significance of physical appearance and vulnerability in conveying a sense of suffering or hardship.