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Desire

//dɪˈzaɪə// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The feeling of desiring; an eager longing for something. uncountable, usually

    "Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgement."

  2. 2
    an inclination to want things wordnet
  3. 3
    Someone or something wished for. countable, usually

    "It is my desire to speak with you."

  4. 4
    the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state wordnet
  5. 5
    Strong attraction, particularly romantic or sexual. uncountable, usually

    "His desire for her kept him awake at night."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    something that is desired wordnet
  2. 7
    Motivation. uncountable, usually
Verb
  1. 1
    To want; to wish for earnestly.

    "I desire to speak with you."

  2. 2
    feel or have a desire for; want strongly wordnet
  3. 3
    To put a request to (someone); to entreat.

    "And when they founde no cause of deeth in hym, yet desired they Pilate to kyll him."

  4. 4
    express a desire for wordnet
  5. 5
    To want emotionally or sexually.

    "She has desired him since they first met."

Show 4 more definitions
  1. 6
    expect and wish wordnet
  2. 7
    To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.

    "Then shee said, Did I desire a sonne of my Lord ? did I not say, Doe not deceiue me?"

  3. 8
    To require; to demand; to claim.

    "A doleful case desires a doleful song."

  4. 9
    To miss; to regret.

    "She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English desir, desire (noun) and desiren (verb), from Old French desirer, desirrer, from Latin dēsīderō (“to long for, desire, feel the want of, miss, regret”), apparently from de- + sidus (in the phrase de sidere, "from the stars") in connection with astrological hopes. Compare consider and desiderate. The verb, along with Old Norse derived want (verb), has mostly replaced native will in modern English.

Etymology 2

From Middle English desir, desire (noun) and desiren (verb), from Old French desirer, desirrer, from Latin dēsīderō (“to long for, desire, feel the want of, miss, regret”), apparently from de- + sidus (in the phrase de sidere, "from the stars") in connection with astrological hopes. Compare consider and desiderate. The verb, along with Old Norse derived want (verb), has mostly replaced native will in modern English.

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