Hypertext Webster Gateway: "thirst"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Thirst \Thirst\, n. [OE. thirst, [thorn]urst, AS. [thorn]urst,
[thorn]yrst; akin to D. dorst, OS. thurst, G. durst, Icel.
[thorn]orsti, Sw. & Dan. t["o]rst, Goth. [thorn]a['u]rstei
thirst, [thorn]a['u]rsus dry, withered,
[thorn]a['u]rsie[thorn] mik I thirst, ga[thorn]a['i]rsan to
wither, L. torrere to parch, Gr. te`rsesqai to become dry,
tesai`nein to dry up, Skr. t[.r]sh to thirst. [root]54. Cf.
{Torrid}.]
1. A sensation of dryness in the throat associated with a
craving for liquids, produced by deprivation of drink, or
by some other cause (as fear, excitement, etc.) which
arrests the secretion of the pharyngeal mucous membrane;
hence, the condition producing this sensation.
Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out
of Egypt, to kill us, and our children . . . with
thirst? --Ex. xvii. 3.
With thirst, with cold, with hunger so confounded.
--Chaucer.
2. Fig.: A want and eager desire after anything; a craving or
longing; -- usually with for, of, or after; as, the thirst
for gold. ``Thirst of worldy good.'' --Fairfax. ``The
thirst I had of knowledge.'' --Milton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Thirst \Thirst\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Thirsted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Thirsting}.] [AS. [thorn]yrstan. See {Thirst}, n.]
1. To feel thirst; to experience a painful or uneasy
sensation of the throat or fauces, as for want of drink.
The people thirsted there for water. --Ex. xvii. 3.
2. To have a vehement desire.
My soul thirsteth for . . . the living God. --Ps.
xlii. 2.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Thirst \Thirst\, v. t.
To have a thirst for. [R.]
He seeks his keeper's flesh, and thirsts his blood.
--Prior.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
thirst
n 1: a physiological need to drink
2: strong desire for something (not food or drink): "a thirst
for knowledge"; "hunger for affection" [syn: {hunger}]
v 1: feel the need to drink
2: have a craving, appetite, or great desire for [syn: {crave},
{hunger}, {starve}, {lust}]
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