Definition of the word starve of

The phrase "starve of" can be traced back to the 17th century, although its original meaning was somewhat different from its current usage. Originally, the term "starve" meant "to deprive completely," and "of" was added to indicate what was being deprived. For example, in the 1600s, one might say "She was starved of water for three days," meaning that she had been completely deprived of water for three days. This usage continued well into the 19th century, with examples like "He was starved of sustenance for weeks" and "She was starved of fresh air during her stay in the hospital." Over time, the usage of "starve of" evolved to take on a more specific meaning related to the denial of resources. Today, it is commonly used to describe the denial of something necessary for survival or growth, such as "He starved of oxygen during the diving accident" or "She was starved of funds for her research." In general, "starve of" has become a more complex and nuanced way to convey the concept of deprivation, indicating a long-term, sustained lack of something rather than a temporary absence. Its evolution from a simple "to deprive completely" to a more specific term for denial of resources underscores the importance of using precise and descriptive language in modern English.