Tafsir of Al-Balad 90:14

Masghaba (مسغبة) is a verbal noun derived from saghb (السغب). Abu Hayyan stated it refers to widespread famine, and it is said, "a man is saghib (سغب)" when he is hungry. Al-Raghib said it is hunger accompanied by fatigue; sometimes it is said to be thirst accompanied by fatigue. Ibn Abbas interpreted it here simply as "hunger," without qualification.

Abd ibn Humayd and Ibn Abi Hatim narrated from Ibrahim that he said, "on a day when food is scarce." This is not a literal interpretation of the word’s definition. Describing the day as dhi masghaba (possessing hunger) is similar to what grammarians say regarding the expressions: hamm nasib (a worrying concern), meaning "possessing worry"; layl na'im (a sleeping night), meaning "possessing sleep"; and nahar sa'im (a fasting day), meaning "possessing fasting."