underfed
|un/der/fed|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌʌndərˈfɛd/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌndəˈfɛd/
(underfeed)
insufficient nourishment
Etymology
Etymology Information
'underfed' originates from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' and the verb 'feed', which comes from Old English 'fēdan', meaning 'to nourish'.
Historical Evolution
'underfeed' transformed into 'underfed' as the past tense and past participle form in modern English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to provide insufficient food', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'underfeed'.
The animals were underfed during the harsh winter.
Adjective 1
not having enough food to eat; malnourished.
The underfed children were given food and medical care.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40