The word "be ravenous" is spelled as /bi ˈrævənəs/. The initial sound of the word is "b" represented by the phoneme /b/. The second phoneme is an unstressed short "i" sound /ɪ/. The stress for this word is on the second syllable, which has the vowel phoneme represented by /æ/. The next phoneme is the bilabial fricative /v/. The final two syllables, /ənəs/, end with an unstressed "uh" sound and the phoneme for "s" /s/. Being ravenous is described as having a voracious appetite, usually indicating extreme hunger.
To be ravenous means to have an extreme or intense hunger, typically accompanied by a strong craving for food. It describes a state of extreme appetite or hunger, where the person feels an insatiable desire to eat and feels that they cannot satisfy their hunger. This feeling of ravenousness is often characterized by intense physical sensations such as growling stomach, lightheadedness, and weakness. The person in this state may feel a desperate need to consume a large quantity of food quickly.
When someone is ravenous, they may exhibit signs of impatience or irritability due to their intense hunger. They might search for or devour food with great urgency, disregarding normal eating habits or manners. The feeling of being ravenous can be compared to a voracious or famished state, emphasizing its intensity and urgency.
The term "ravenous" can also be used metaphorically to describe an overwhelming desire or craving for something other than food. In this context, it refers to an intense longing or hunger for something, such as success, power, or affection, that feels all-consuming.
In summary, the phrase "be ravenous" describes a state of extreme hunger and craving for food, along with an intense and urgent desire to eat. It can also be used metaphorically to signify an overwhelming desire or craving for something other than food.
The word "ravenous" originated from the Latin word "rabere", meaning "to be mad, to be rabid". This Latin root later evolved into "ravenus", which meant "greedy, voracious", referencing the intense hunger associated with madness or rabid behavior. The word eventually found its way into Old French as "raveineux" and later transformed into the Middle English word "ravenouse" before becoming "ravenous" in its current form.