undernourished
|un/der/nour/ished|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˌʌndərˈnɜːrɪʃt/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌndəˈnʌrɪʃt/
lacking nutrients
Etymology
Etymology Information
'undernourished' originates from the prefix 'under-' meaning 'below' and the word 'nourish' from Old French 'norrir', which meant 'to feed or sustain'.
Historical Evolution
'nourish' changed from the Old French word 'norrir' and eventually became the modern English word 'nourish'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to feed or sustain', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'lacking sufficient nutrients'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
lacking sufficient nutrients for good health and growth.
The undernourished children needed immediate medical attention.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/02/14 14:34