Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Lust?

\Lust\, n. [AS. lust, lust, pleasure, longing; akin to OS., D., G., & Sw. lust, Dan. & Icel. lyst, Goth lustus, and perh. tom Skr. lush to desire, or to E. loose. Cf. {List} to please, {Listless}.] 1. Pleasure. [Obs.] `` Lust and jollity.'' --Chaucer. 2. Inclination; desire. [Obs.] For little lust had she to talk of aught. --Spenser. My lust to devotion is little. --Bp. Hall. 3. Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy; -- in a had sense; as, the lust of gain. The lust of reigning. --Milton. 4. Licentious craving; sexual appetite. --Milton. 5. Hence: Virility; vigor; active power. [Obs.] --Bacon.
\Lust\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Lusted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Lusting}.] [AS. lystan. See {Lust}, n., and cf. List to choose.] 1. To list; to like. [Obs.] --Chaucer. `` Do so if thou lust. '' --Latimer. Note: In earlier usage lust was impersonal. In the water vessel he it cast When that him luste. --Chaucer. 2. To have an eager, passionate, and especially an inordinate or sinful desire, as for the gratification of the sexual appetite or of covetousness; -- often with after. Whatsoever thy soul lusteth after. --Deut. xii. 15. Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. --Matt. v. 28. The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy. --James iv. 5.