Pronunciation: [fˈamɪn] (IPA) 
The word "famine" is spelled with the letters F-A-M-I-N-E. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /ˈfæm.ɪn/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by an "m" sound. The second syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by an "n" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a long "e" sound. This word refers to a severe shortage of food, often leading to starvation in a large population.
Famine is a noun that refers to an extreme scarcity or shortage of food, resulting in widespread hunger, malnutrition, and often death, among a large population or community. It is a severe and prolonged period of food deprivation that generally affects a specific region or even an entire country.
During a famine, the available food supply is insufficient to meet the needs of the population, leading to starvation and its associated consequences. This can occur due to various factors such as natural disasters, including droughts, floods, or pests that destroy crops and make farming impossible. Additionally, political instability, warfare, economic collapse, and poor agricultural practices can also contribute to the development and exacerbation of famines.
Famines have devastating effects on society, often leading to high mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those already suffering from sickness or malnutrition. They can also result in substantial population displacement, as people are forced to migrate in search of food and resources.
Efforts to mitigate or prevent famines involve providing emergency aid and support, such as food supplies, medical assistance, and access to clean water. Long-term strategies aim to improve agricultural practices, promote sustainable farming methods, and address the underlying issues that contribute to food insecurity and vulnerability to famine.
Scarcity of food; want; destitution.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "famine" originated from the Latin word "fames", which means "hunger". This Latin term was then adapted into Old French as "famine", and subsequently passed into the English language. The roots of the Latin term can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word "dʰm̥s", meaning "to tame" or "to subdue". The connection between these meanings relates to the destructive and devastating effects of hunger and scarcity during a famine.
