[wish] vb [ME wisshen, fr. OE wyscan; akin to OHG wunsken to wish, Skt vanchati he wishes, vanoti he strives for--more at win] vt (bef. 12c) 1: to have a desire for (as something unattainable) "~ed he could live his life over"
2: to give expression to as a wish: bid "~ 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 ~ our problems away"
4: to confer (something unwanted) on someone: foist ~ vi 1: to have a desire: want
2: to make a wish syn see desire -- wish.er n
[2]wish n (14c) 1 a: an act or instance of wishing or desire: want b: an object of desire: goal
2. a: an expressed will or desire: mandate b: a request or command couched as a wish
3: an invocation of good or evil fortune on someone