összeszekélyednek

Összeszekélyednek is a Hungarian verb that describes a process of becoming or making something bony or gaunt. It refers to the physical state of losing flesh and appearing emaciated, often due to illness, starvation, or extreme old age. The verb can be used reflexively, meaning "to become bony," or transitively, meaning "to make something bony."

The root of the word, "székely," refers to a historical Hungarian ethnic group, the Székelys. While the exact etymological connection to the verb is not definitively established, it is often suggested that the verb's meaning might be linked to historical perceptions or stereotypes associated with the Székely people, perhaps related to their perceived hardiness or historical struggles. However, this connection remains speculative and is not a universally accepted linguistic explanation.

In common usage, "összeszekélyednek" conveys a sense of significant physical decline. It implies a loss of vitality and substance, leaving a skeletal or severely thin appearance. The term is descriptive and can be used in various contexts, from medical descriptions of wasting diseases to literary portrayals of hardship. Its usage highlights a stark visual transformation, emphasizing the prominence of bones beneath the skin.