n.
Pronunciation: ' wish
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English wisshen, from Old English wy ̄ scan; akin to Old High German wunsken to wish, Sanskrit v ā ñchati he wishes, vanoti he strives for ― more at WIN
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to have a desire for (as something unattainable) < wish ed he could live his life over>
2 : to give expression to as a wish : BID < wish them good night>
3 a : to give form to (a wish) b : to express a wish for c : to request in the form of a wish : ORDER d : to desire (a person or thing) to be as specified <cannot wish our problems away>
4 : to confer (something unwanted) on someone : FOIST
intransitive verb
1 : to have a desire : WANT < wish ing for more>
2 : to make a wish < wish on a falling star>
synonyms see DESIRE
– wish · er noun