inanition

Meanings

1. The act of removing the contents of something; the state of being empty.
2. A state of advanced lack of adequate nutrition, food, or water or a physiological inability to utilize them, with resulting weakness.
3. A spiritual emptiness or lack of purpose or will to live, akin to nausea in existentialist philosophy.

Etymology

From Middle English inanicioun, borrowed from Old French inanition, itself borrowed from Late Latin inānītio, from inānīre (“to make empty”), from inānis (“empty, vain”); see inane.