Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Thirst?

\Thirst\, n. [OE. thirst, [thorn]urst, AS. [thorn]urst, [thorn]yrst; akin to D. dorst, OS. thurst, G. durst, Icel. [thorn]orsti, Sw. & Dan. t["o]rst, Goth. [thorn]a['u]rstei thirst, [thorn]a['u]rsus dry, withered, [thorn]a['u]rsie[thorn] mik I thirst, ga[thorn]a['i]rsan to wither, L. torrere to parch, Gr. te`rsesqai to become dry, tesai`nein to dry up, Skr. t[.r]sh to thirst. [root]54. Cf. {Torrid}.] 1. A sensation of dryness in the throat associated with a craving for liquids, produced by deprivation of drink, or by some other cause (as fear, excitement, etc.) which arrests the secretion of the pharyngeal mucous membrane; hence, the condition producing this sensation. Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, and our children . . . with thirst? --Ex. xvii. 3. With thirst, with cold, with hunger so confounded. --Chaucer. 2. Fig.: A want and eager desire after anything; a craving or longing; -- usually with for, of, or after; as, the thirst for gold. ``Thirst of worldy good.'' --Fairfax. ``The thirst I had of knowledge.'' --Milton.
\Thirst\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Thirsted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Thirsting}.] [AS. [thorn]yrstan. See {Thirst}, n.] 1. To feel thirst; to experience a painful or uneasy sensation of the throat or fauces, as for want of drink. The people thirsted there for water. --Ex. xvii. 3. 2. To have a vehement desire. My soul thirsteth for . . . the living God. --Ps. xlii. 2.
\Thirst\, v. t. To have a thirst for. [R.] He seeks his keeper's flesh, and thirsts his blood. --Prior.