DESIRE


Meaning of DESIRE in English

I. di-ˈzī(-ə)r, dē- verb

( de·sired ; de·sir·ing )

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French desirer, from Latin desiderare, from de- + sider-, sidus heavenly body

Date: 13th century

transitive verb

1. : to long or hope for : exhibit or feel desire for

desire success

2.

a. : to express a wish for : request

they desire an immediate answer

b. archaic : to express a wish to : ask

3. obsolete : invite

4. archaic : to feel the loss of

intransitive verb

: to have or feel desire

Synonyms:

desire , wish , want , crave , covet mean to have a longing for. desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim

desires to start a new life

wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable

wishes for permanent world peace

want specifically suggests a felt need or lack

wants to have a family

crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need

craves sweets

covet implies strong envious desire

covets his rise to fame

II. noun

Date: 14th century

1. : conscious impulse toward something that promises enjoyment or satisfaction in its attainment

2.

a. : longing , craving

b. : sexual urge or appetite

3. : a usually formal request or petition for some action

4. : something desired

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.