emaciated

What does “emaciated” mean?

adjective.abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages related to health, poverty, or the effects of war and famine. It emphasizes extreme physical weakness and suffering, highlighting the dire consequences of malnutrition or illness, which distinguishes it from similar words like "thin," as it connotes a more severe and distressing condition.

Common Confusions

Emaciated implies extreme physical weakness due to malnutrition or illness, while thin usually suggests a lack of body mass without the severe connotations of suffering or health issues.

Example Sentences

• The documentary featured emaciated wildlife struggling to survive a severe drought.

Word Parts: How to Remember “emaciated”

Break “emaciated” into its parts: ex- (out of, from). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ex- out of, from (Latin)