GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Yearn , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Yearned ; p. pr. & vb. n. Yearning.] [Also earn, ern; probably a corruption of OE. ermen to grieve, AS. ierman, yrman, or geierman, geyrman, fr. earm wretched, poor; akin to D. & G. arm, Icel. armr, Goth. arms. The y- in English is perhaps due to the AS. ge (see Y-).] To pain; to grieve; to vex. [Obs.] “She laments, sir, for it, that it would yearn your heart to see it.”
   Shak.
   
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   It yearns me not if men my garments wear.
   Shak.
   
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2.       
   Yearn, v. i. To be pained or distressed; to grieve; to mourn. [Obs.] “Falstaff he is dead, and we must yearn therefore.”
   Shak.
   
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3.       
   Yearn, v. i. & t. [See Yearnings.] To curdle, as milk. [Scot.]
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4.       
   Yearn, v. i. [OE. yernen, ȝernen, ȝeornen, AS. geornian, gyrnan, fr. georn desirous, eager; akin to OS. gern desirous, girnean, gernean, to desire, D. gaarne gladly, willingly, G. gern, OHG. gerno, adv., gern, a., G. gier greed, OHG. girī greed, ger desirous, gerōn to desire, G. begehren, Icel. girna to desire, gjarn eager, Goth. faíhugaírns covetous, gaírnjan to desire, and perhaps to Gr. χαίρειν to rejoice, be glad, Skr. hary to desire, to like. √33.] To be filled with longing desire; to be harassed or rendered uneasy with longing, or feeling the want of a thing; to strain with emotions of affection or tenderness; to long; to be eager.
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   Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother; and he sought where to weep.
   Gen. xliii. 30.
   
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   Your mother's heart yearns towards you.
   Addison.
   
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