Adjective
/demaˈkɾaðo/
The word "demacrado" refers to a person who appears very thin, weak, or malnourished, often as a result of illness, lack of food, or significant stress. It conveys a visual impression of someone who has lost a considerable amount of weight and has a gaunt appearance.
In Spanish, it's commonly used in both oral and written contexts, but may be more frequent in written descriptive texts, narratives, or reports that discuss health conditions or physical states.
El perro estaba demacrado después de pasar días sin comer.
The dog was emaciated after spending days without food.
La actriz apareció demacrada en la última premiere de su película.
The actress appeared gaunt at the last premiere of her movie.
While "demacrado" itself does not have a wide array of idiomatic expressions, it can appear in phrases that emphasize extreme conditions of health or emotion.
Después de la larga enfermedad, se volvió un saco de huesos, parecía demacrado.
After the long illness, he became a bag of bones; he looked emaciated.
Las noches sin dormir lo dejaron demacrado, y apenas podía mantenerse en pie.
The sleepless nights left him wasted, and he could barely stand.
No comió bien durante toda la semana, y su rostro lucía demacrado.
He didn't eat well all week, and his face looked gaunt.
"Demacrado" comes from the Latin word "demacratio," derived from "demacrare," which means to make thin or emaciated. The prefix "de-" often indicates removal or reversal, while "macrare" relates to making something thin.
Overall, "demacrado" effectively describes a specific physical state and may convey broader themes of health and emotional distress, making it a significant term in both medical and literary contexts.