I. ˈthərst, ˈthə̄st, ˈthəist noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, alteration (probably influenced by thirsten to thirst) of thurst, from Old English; akin to Old High German durst thirst, Old Norse thorsti, Gothic thaurstei thirst, Latin torrēre to dry, parch, Greek teresesthai to become dry, Sanskrit tṛṣyati he thirsts
1.
a. : a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat associated with a desire for liquids ; also : the bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this sensation
b. : a desire for potable liquids or to drink
2. : an ardent desire : craving , longing
the home folks' thirst for news of its armies — Bruce Catton
the thirst for new and up-to-date vehicles — F.L.Allen
3. or thirstland ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ : a waterless tract (as a desert)
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English thirsten, from Old English thyrstan; akin to Old High German dursten to thirst, Old Norse thyrsta; denominative from the root of Old English thurst, n., thirst
1. : to feel thirsty : suffer thirst
2. : to have a vehement desire : crave
a savage, unprincipled brute who thirsted to overturn a society … not to his advantage — J.H.Plumb
adventurers thirsting for excitement — Waldemar Kaempffert
thirst after every conceivable form of achievement — Ernest Nagel
Synonyms: see long