The word "hungering" is spelled with a silent "e" at the end, which indicates that the vowel in the preceding syllable is long. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is represented as /ˈhʌŋɡərɪŋ/. The stress falls on the first syllable, represented by the primary stress marker (ˈ). The "h" is pronounced at the beginning, followed by the "u" sound in "hun", sounding like "hung", and ending with a "-ering" sound. The word refers to the act of experiencing a strong desire or craving for food.
Hungering is a verb form derived from the base word "hunger." Hunger, as a noun, refers to the feeling of discomfort or strong desire caused by a lack of food or nourishment. It is the physiological sensation that signals the need for sustenance to maintain energy and support bodily functions. In this context, hungering serves as a present participle verb, indicating the action or state of experiencing hunger.
Hungering can also be used metaphorically to describe an intense longing or desire for something other than food. It signifies a strong craving or yearning for something unfulfilled, whether it be love, achievement, success, recognition, or any other unmet need or aspiration. This figurative usage suggests a powerful fervor or passionate pursuit for the object of one's desire.
The word hungering often implies a persistent, deep-seated longing that is intense and unrelenting, sometimes even bordering on an obsession. It conveys a sense of urgency and a driving force pushing an individual towards attaining what they desire, often with great determination and dedication.
Furthermore, hungering can denote an emotional or psychological hunger, encompassing the longing for emotional connection, understanding, or fulfillment. It describes a state of emptiness that yearns to be filled, a hunger for purpose or meaning in life.
In summary, hungering can describe the physical, metaphorical, and emotional experience of strongly desiring, longing, or craving something, whether it is food, a goal, love, or deeper fulfillment.
The suffering from hunger.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "hungering" is derived from the verb "hunger", which dates back to the Old English period. The Old English form of "hunger" was "hungrian", which meant "to be hungry" or "to long for food". The word has its roots in the Proto-Germanic language, with the word "hungruz" or "hungaraz". Ultimately, the Proto-Germanic term is believed to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *kenk-/keng- meaning "to burn" or "to be parched". Over time, the Old English verb "hungrian" has evolved into the present participle form "hungering", which signifies the act or state of craving food.