famine
n.-
1 extreme food shortage (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatea long period of time when there is not enough food for the people living in an area.
an extreme and general scarcity of food within a geographic region, often caused by crop failure, war, or economic collapse.
ExampleThe country suffered a terrible famine after three years without any rain for the crops.
ExampleThe historical records suggest that the famine was exacerbated by poor infrastructure, which prevented the efficient distribution of grain to the hardest-hit provinces.
UsageOften used with the definite article when referring to a specific historical event.
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2 shortage of something else (n.) C1 Advanced Literarya situation where there is a lack of something important, not just food.
a metaphorical extension referring to a severe lack or shortage of a non-food resource.
ExampleThe tech industry is facing a famine of skilled workers right now.
ExampleAfter a decade of creative abundance, the film industry entered a period of artistic famine, with few original scripts reaching production.
UsageTypically follows the pattern 'a famine of [noun]'.
Teacher's tipThis is a figurative use; in everyday conversation, 'shortage' is much more common.
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3 mythological figure (n.) C2 Proficiency Literary Religiona character in old stories who represents hunger, often shown riding a black horse.
the personification of hunger and scarcity, specifically as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
ExampleIn the old painting, Famine is shown as a thin man on a dark horse.
ExampleThe artist depicted Famine with a pair of weighing scales, symbolising the extreme price of wheat during times of great scarcity.
UsageUsually capitalised when referring to the personified figure.
Teacher's tipThis sense is specific to theological or literary discussions of the Four Horsemen.
Borrowed from Middle French famine, itself from the root of Latin fames. Cognate with Spanish hambruna (“famine”).