Famine \Fam"ine\, n. [F. famine, fr. L. fames hunger; cf. Gr. ????? want, need, Skr. h[=a]ni loss, lack, h[=a] to leave.]

General scarcity of food; dearth; a want of provisions; destitution. ``Worn with famine.'' --Milton.

There was a famine in the land. --Gen. xxvi. 1.

Famine fever (Med.), typhus fever.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)