Pronunciation: [stˈɑːvəlɪŋz] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "starvelings" may seem confusing at first, but it can be broken down phonetically. The first syllable, "starv," is pronounced like "stahr-v" with a short "a" sound. The second syllable, "el," is pronounced like "elle" with a short "e" sound. The third syllable, "ings," is pronounced like "ingz" with a voiced "z" sound. "Starvelings" is a plural noun that refers to people who are starving or malnourished.
Starvelings is a noun that refers to people who are extremely thin or emaciated due to lack of food or proper nutrition. Derived from the word "starve," which means to suffer or die from extreme hunger, starvelings are individuals who endure prolonged periods of malnourishment, resulting in a frail and gaunt appearance.
This term is often attributed to individuals who reside in impoverished regions or have experienced famine, war, or extreme scarcity of resources. Starvelings typically have a visibly weakened physical state, with protruding bones, sunken features, and a general state of debilitation. The condition of being a starveling can also be associated with a lack of energy, vitality, and overall health due to the insufficiency of sustenance.
Historically, the term starvelings has been used to describe those who struggle to obtain adequate nourishment during times of crisis or in socio-economically disadvantaged circumstances. The term is evocative of extreme human suffering resulting from the deprivation of necessary sustenance.
In a broader sense, the term may also be used metaphorically to describe individuals or groups that are perceived as weak, feeble, or lacking vitality in a figurative sense. This usage implies that such individuals or groups are unable to adequately provide for themselves or have been subjected to adverse conditions that have hindered their growth and development.
The word "starvelings" is derived from the noun "starve", which originated from the Old English word "stearfan" meaning "to die" or "to perish". Over time, "starve" evolved to refer specifically to death or suffering caused by lack of food, resulting in extreme hunger or starvation. The suffix "-ling" is added to the word "starve", forming "starveling", which refers to someone who is extremely thin or emaciated due to starvation.
