Abnormally thin and weak, especially as a result of illness or lack of food. It describes an extreme state of thinness that appears unhealthy.
From Latin 'emaciatus,' past participle of 'emaciare,' meaning 'to make lean,' derived from 'ex-' (out) and 'macies' (leanness). The word suggests having the flesh worn away, entering English in the 17th century.
Think 'e-mace-iated' - like someone hit with a mace (weapon) until they became extremely thin! This vivid descriptor often appears in literature passages describing poverty or illness.
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