= process by which humans lose flesh or fat on their body; used figuratively to denote how a nation loses its wealth and prosperity
to grow lean, to waste away
Thin
literally: to cause to grow lean; hence: = causative process by which humans cause other humans to lose flesh or fat on their body by withholding food; used figuratively ro denote a situation in which idols are no longer sacrificed to, as a result of which they waste away