desire

Definition

To want; to wish for earnestly.

Etymology

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.

Example Sentences

• "I desire to speak with you."
• "Neither shall any man desire thy land."
• "[S]eeing you desire your child to live, / Thanks, but you work against your own desire; […]"

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