Here are some ways to describe the word:
* Appearance: Someone with a gaunt face or figure appears thin and bony, often with sunken eyes and hollow cheeks.
* Cause: The gauntness is usually caused by a lack of food, illness, or prolonged stress.
* Connotation: The word "gaunt" often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of health and vitality.
Examples:
* "The prisoner was gaunt and weak from years of starvation."
* "Her face was gaunt, with deep lines etched around her eyes."
* "The gaunt, skeletal figure of the old woman chilled her to the bone."