GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Thirst , n. [OE. thirst, þurst, AS. þurst, þyrst; akin to D. dorst, OS. thurst, G. durst, Icel. þorsti, Sw. & Dan. törst, Goth. þaúrstei thirst, þaúrsus dry, withered, þaúrsieþ mik I thirst, gaþaírsan to wither, L. torrere to parch, Gr. τέρσεσθαι to become dry, τεσαίνειν to dry up, Skr. tṛsh to thirst. √54. Cf. Torrid.]
   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.
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   Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, and our children . . . with thirst?
   Ex. xvii. 3.
   
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   With thirst, with cold, with hunger so confounded.
   Chaucer.
   
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   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.
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2.       
   Thirst, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Thirsted; p. pr. & vb. n. Thirsting.] [AS. þyrstan. See Thirst, n.]
   To feel thirst; to experience a painful or uneasy sensation of the throat or fauces, as for want of drink.
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   The people thirsted there for water.
   Ex. xvii. 3.
   
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   To have a vehement desire.
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   My soul thirsteth for . . . the living God.
   Ps. xlii. 2.
   
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3.       
   Thirst, v. t. To have a thirst for. [R.]
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   He seeks his keeper's flesh, and thirsts his blood.
   Prior.
   
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