ppl. a. Obs. exc. dial. Also 6–7 sterven. [irregular str. pa. pple. of STARVE v. Cf. STORVEN ppl. a.]
1. = STARVED ppl. a. in various uses.
a. 1533–98. [see hunger-starven s.v. HUNGER-STARVE v.].
1563. Sackville, Induct. Mirr. Mag., li. Shee [Famine] fayne would so sustayne Her staruen corps.
1592. Arden of Feversham, II. ii. 118. But, giue me … Such mercy as the staruen Lyones, When she is dry suckt of her eager young.
1642. D. Rogers, Naaman, 170. Those sterven Egyptians beholding Iosephs store of corne.
1653. Austen, Fruit Trees, II. (1657), 60. Their starven love to the saints, and their … serious pursuite of their owne interests, in things of the world … prove their Earthly mindednesse.
1686. Plot, Staffordsh., 204. it advances all starven weak Cattle above any thing yet known.
1887. S. Cheshire Gloss., Starven, sensitive to cold. ‘It’s a nesh, starven little thing.’
1893. S.-E. Worcester Gloss.
† 2. Of cattle: That have died of disease. Obs.
1584. R. Scot, Discov. Witchcr., VI. iv. 95. [He] bargained … for all their hides which were of Sterven cattell.
