desiren.
/dᵻˈzʌɪə/, U.S. /dəˈzaɪ(ə)r/, /diˈzaɪ(ə)r/ 1.
a. The fact or condition of desiring; that feeling or emotion which is directed to the attainment or possession of some object from which pleasure or satisfaction is expected; longing, craving; a particular instance of this feeling, a wish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun]
i-willc888
wilningc888
willingeOE
lustc950
listc1220
desire1303
affection1340
desiring1377
appetite1382
envya1400
wishc1430
desideryc1450
stomach1513
affect1531
wilnec1540
desirefulness1548
woulding1549
desirousness1571
ambition1579
lusting1580
listing1587
maw1601
appetition1603
appetence1610
bosoma1616
orexis1619
desirableness1649
appetency1656
would1753
wanting1801
want-to1903
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 3410 Ȝyf þou haue grete desyre To be clepyd lorde or syre.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 147 Gret desir of heuenely þynges.
14.. Why I can't be a nun 303 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 146 Thy fyrst desyre and thyne entent Was to bene a nune professed.
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 36/2 The execrable desire of souerayntee.
1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Eromena 92 I have a great desire to get a sight of him.
1652 J. Wright tr. J.-P. Camus Nature's Paradox 353 Seeing the cards thus shuffled to his own desire.
1653 H. More Antidote against Atheism in Coll. Philos. Writings (1712) ii. xii. §15 83 An unsatiable desire after that just and decorous temper of Mind.
1752 S. Johnson Rambler No. 206. ⁋4 This conflict of desires.
1759 S. Johnson Prince of Abissinia II. xxxvii. 81 His predominant passion was desire of money.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 2 The elder King felt a strong desire to see his brother.
1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Sketches (1873) II. i. i. 11 Objects of desire to the barbarian.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits xiii. 226 The new age has new desires.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 51 A man should pray to have right desires, before he prays that his desires may be fulfilled.
b. personified.
ΚΠ
a1577 G. Gascoigne Princelie Pleasures Kenelworth sig. C.vjv, in Whole Wks. (1587) That wretch Desire, whom neither death could daunt: nor dole decay, nor dread delay.
1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 55 As fleet As Desire's lightning feet.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda II. iii. xxvii. 170 Desire has trimmed the sails, and Circumstance Brings but the breeze to fill them.
2. spec. Physical or sensual appetite; lust.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual desire > [noun]
willOE
loveOE
likinga1200
jollityc1330
desirec1340
fire1340
naturec1387
ragea1425
pride1486
lovered1487
Venus1513
courage1541
passion1648
lusting1760
philogenitiveness1815
body-urge1930
hots1940
hard-on1949
c1340 R. Rolle Prose Treat. 3 This name Ihesu..dose away greuesnes of fleschely desyris.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) vii. xliv. 257 The appetyte of the stomak is callyd desyre.
a1400–50 Alexander 4289 To blemysch oure blode with bodely dissires.
a1542 T. Wyatt Coll. Poems (1969) cclxi. 6 If thy desire haue ouer thee the power, Subiect then art thou and no gouernour.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. vi. 46 That satiate yet vnsatisfi'd desire . View more context for this quotation
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 151. ⁋2 A constant Pruriency of inordinate Desire.
1759 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful (ed. 2) iii. §1. 163 Which shews that beauty, and the passion caused by beauty, which I call love, is different from desire.
1867 S. W. Baker Nile Tributaries Abyssinia viii. 166 The flesh of the crocodile is eaten greedily, being supposed to promote desire.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iv, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 189 Against enkindled desire Honour itself was feeble.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > sorrow caused by loss > [noun]
missa1225
misture1563
earning1603
desire?1611
resentment1632
regret1695
desiderium1715
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xvii. 380 So unremoved stood these steeds, their heads to earth let fall, And warm tears gushing from their eyes, with passionate desire Of their kind manager.
4. A wish as expressed or stated in words; a request, petition.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > [noun] > desire or wish
willOE
yering13..
wishing1377
desirea1400
wish1513
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 10513 Þi desire & þi preyere Is comen to goddes ere.
1414 Rolls of Parl. III. 549/1 The Kyng thanketh hem of here gode desire, willyng put it in execution als sone as he wel may.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxiii. 135 The erle sent thyder, at their desyers, John of Norwyche, to be their Captayne.
1671 A. Marvell Let. 4 Mar. in Poems & Lett. (1971) II. 133 The House hath been in conference with the Lords upon their desire, about the Addresse..concerning Popish Recusants.
1794 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 428 The Agents have written desires from me to land everything as fast as possible.
1842 J. Bischoff Comprehensive Hist. Woollen Manuf. II. 83 I also send, at your desire, a general list of articles used in the woollen manufacture.
5. transferred. An object of desire; that which one desires or longs for. (Originally only contextual).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun] > object of desire
willeOE
desire1340
appetitec1386
flight1530
optative1605
catch1609
desiderate1640
desirable1645
desideratuma1651
eligible1656
appetible1715
lookout1795
desideration1836
ooh-ah1957
1340–70 Alisaunder 1047 Hee hoped to haue there of his hertes desyres.
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) i. xxxix. 43 He sawe that he ne myght nought acheuen hys desyre.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms liii. [liv.] 7 So that myne eye seyth his desyre vpon myne enemies.
1611 Bible (King James) Hag. ii. 7 The desire of all nations shall come. View more context for this quotation
1699 W. Dampier Voy. & Descr. ii. i. 22 We steered off to the North expecting a Sea-Breez at E.N.E. and the third Day had our desire.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 159. ⁋5 Farewel my Terentia, my Heart's Desire, farewel.
1732 H. Fielding Mock Doctor Ded. That politeness which..has made you the desire of the great, and the envy of the whole profession.
1863 Ld. Tennyson Welcome to Alexandra Welcome her, welcome the land's desire.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
desirev.
/dᵻˈzʌɪə/, U.S. /dəˈzaɪ(ə)r/, /diˈzaɪ(ə)r/ 1. transitive. To have a strong wish for; to long for, covet, crave.
a. with simple object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)]
willeOE
wilnec897
desirec1230
catcha1350
appetec1385
appetitec1385
to wait after ——1393
to set (also have, keep, turn) one's mind onc1450
list1545
exopt1548
to have a mind1553
desiderate1646
lust1653
to have eyes for1657
like1685
want1698
choose1766
to be stuck on1878
c1230 Hali Meid. 11 Ant þenne wile..Þe king of alle kinges desire þe to leofmon.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 244 Þer is..al þet herte may wylnj, and of guod desiri.
a1400–50 Alexander 922 To þe kyng he kest slik a hate, þat he desiris his deth.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 15 Of al thyng best & most to be desyryd.
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 49 It is a miserable state of minde, to have few thinges to desire, and many things to feare.
1670 J. Milton Hist. Brit. iv. 170 Offa..a comely Person..much desir'd of the people; and such his vertue..as might have otherwise bin worthy to have reign'd.
1832 Ld. Tennyson Of old sat Freedom Her open eyes desire the truth.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems lxii. 50 Many a wistful boy and maidens many desire it.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 201 Do not all men desire happiness?
b. with infinitive: To wish, long (to be, have, do).
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10486 Suilk a worthi sun..Als sco desird for to haf.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xiv. 62 Desirand to see þare wifes and þare childer.
c1425 Hampole's Psalter Metr. Pref. 29 Who so desires it to know.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure xviii. vi To speke wyth her gretly desyrynge.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. v. 139 If you desire to know the certainty. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 234 Since..Troy's disast'rous end [you] desire to know.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) IV. 30 They do not desire to bring down their theory to the level of their practice.
c. with object clause.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 1801 (MED) Þenne desired þo caitifs badde þat þei had ben by noe ladde.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets lxi. sig. Ev Dost thou desire my slumbers should be broken. View more context for this quotation
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 811 To you..Who wise yourselves, desire your sons should learn Your wisdom. View more context for this quotation
1850 Ld. Tennyson In Memoriam l. 73 Do we indeed desire the dead Should still be near us. View more context for this quotation
1859 Ld. Tennyson Lancelot & Elaine 1089 in Idylls of King You desire your child to live.
2. † b. Const. after, to, etc. Obsolete.
a. intransitive (or absol.) To have or feel a desire.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (intransitive)]
wilneOE
me lusteth1390
desire1393
lusta1400
like1780
lech1940
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 5 For she, which loveth him to-fore, Desireth ever more and more.
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. xiii. 4 The soule of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing. View more context for this quotation
1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote III. v He that will not when he may, when he desireth shall have nay.
a1831 A. Knox Remains I. 37 In moral matters, to desire, and possess, differ in degree, rather than reality.
1871 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues I. 65 He who desires, desires that of which he is in want.
ΚΠ
a1300 Holy Rode 347 in Leg. Rood 46 Þo desirede þe quene muche after þe nailes þre War-wiþ our lord was Inailed to þe tre.
a1325 Prose Psalter xli[i]. 1 As þe hert de-siret to þe welles of waters, so de-sired my soule to þe, Lord.
1477 T. Norton Ordinall of Alchimy Proem in E. Ashmole Theatrum Chem. Britannicum (1652) 6 Every estate desireth after good.
1549–62 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins Whole Bk. Psalms cxliii. 6 My soule desireth after thee.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > necessity > condition of being necessary > need or want > need [verb (transitive)] > require or demand
askOE
willa1225
requirec1425
crave1576
desire1577
exact1592
solicit1592
wish1600
postulate1605
expect1615
to look after ——a1616
seek1656
demand1748
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 29 It desyreth a moyst ground, riche and good.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xxvi. 454 True beautie desireth no peynting.
1591 E. Spenser Teares of Muses in Complaints 541 A doleful case desires a dolefull song.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 503 There be many kindes of Mise, and euery one of them desireth a particular tractate.
4. To long for (something lost); to feel the loss of, miss, regret, desiderate. (In quot. 1614, passive, to be missed, to be wanting.) Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > sorrow caused by loss > suffer sorrow for loss of [verb (transitive)]
missc1300
regretc1400
regratec1480
to miss away1488
wanta1522
desire1557
pity1585
to have a (great) loss in (or of)1680
bewail1796
1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes f. 232v/2 On the death of thy child Verissimus, thy sonne so much desired.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Chron. xxi. 20 He reigned in Ierusalem eight yeeres, and departed without being desired . View more context for this quotation
1614 J. Selden Titles of Honor 142 Otherwise..Pharaohs discretion would have been much desired.
1658 J. Rowland tr. T. Moffett Theater of Insects in Topsell's Hist. Four-footed Beasts (rev. ed.) Ep. Ded. That the Reader..may not desire an Epistle, or complain that there is one wanting.
1869 Ld. Tennyson Holy Grail 897 And now his chair desires him here in vain.
5. To express a wish for (an object); to ask for, request.
a. with simple object: to d. a thing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)]
yearnOE
bid971
seek971
askOE
beseechc1175
banc1275
yerec1275
cravec1300
desirec1330
impetrec1374
praya1382
nurnc1400
pleadc1400
require1400
fraynec1430
proke1440
requisitea1475
wishc1515
supply1546
request1549
implore?c1550
to speak for ——1560
entreat1565
impetratec1565
obtest?1577
solicit1595
invoke1617
mendicate1618
petition1621
imprecate1636
conjurea1704
speer1724
canvass1768
kick1792
I will thank you to do so-and-so1813
quest1897
to hit a person up for1917
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 399 Erls, doukes of þe best..Me [sc. Felice] haue desired apliȝt, Þat neuer of me hadde siȝt.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 4583 I desired þis damisele..to haue hire to þi broþer..ac hire moder in no maner hire nold me graunte.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 27 When thei wiste that Vortiger disered the pees, they were gladde.
1656 T. Burton Diary (1828) I. 39 I move that his Highness's advice may be desired in it.
1754 Earl of Chatham Lett. to Nephew (1804) iv. 21 If you are forced to desire farther information.. do it with proper apologies.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 97 I had spared thee, but thou desiredst my death.
b. to d. a thing of, from (†at) a person (archaic).
ΚΠ
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Kings ii. 16 Now desyre I one peticion of the.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Job xxxi. 16 When the poore desyred eny thinge at me, haue I denyed it them?
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 7897 Þai..sent to þat souerain..dessirond full depely delyuerans of hir.
1651 E. Nicholas Papers (1886) I. 282 What you desire from mee.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 5 Dec. (1972) VII. 397 I did give him my song..which he hath often desired of me.
c. with infinitive object; to desire to know, have, etc., something.
ΚΠ
1450 W. Somner in Four C. Eng. Lett. 4 The maister desyryd to wete yf the shepmen wolde holde with the duke.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1022 To these kynges he come..And to haue of hor helpe hertely dissyred.
1563 Abp. M. Parker Let. 7 Sept. in Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 191 I..thereupon desired to have the council's letters.
1785 Mod. Times I. 16 He desired never to hear any thing of me.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth x, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. III. 273 He next alighted at the Dominican Convent, and desired to see the Duke of Albany.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 165 Speech I crave of the seer, and desire his counsel to learn.
d. with object clause, to d. that…
ΚΠ
1404 Rolls of Parl. III. 549/1 The Comunes desiren that the Kyng shulde leve upon his owne.
1656 T. Burton Diary (1828) I. 80 I desire it may not die.
1689 Proc. & Tryal Archbishop of Canterbury & Right Rev. Fathers 19 We desire it may be read in English for we don't understand Law-Latin.
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 98 Run to my Lady Match, and desire she will remember to be here at Six.
1823 R. Southey Hist. Peninsular War I. 176 He desired Velarde would write to the court.
6. To express a wish to (a person); to request, pray, entreat.† a. with simple object: to make a request to (obsolete).† b. to d. a person a thing, or of a thing (obsolete).
ΚΠ
1526 Bible (Tyndale) John xii. f. cxxxixv Certayne grekes..cam to Philip..and desired hym sayinge: Syr we wolde fayne se Iesus.
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 56/2 John spake vnto him and desired hym in like manner and contestation, as before.
ΚΠ
1554 J. Hooper Let. 14 June in M. Coverdale Certain Lett. Martyrs (1564) 127 Repente, and desyre god of forgeuenes.
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie xviii. 105 If a Childe..desire his Father some fond or euill thing.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 399 I humbly doe desire your Grace of pardon. View more context for this quotation
c. to d. a person to do something (the most frequently construction).
ΚΠ
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxi. 212 I desyre you to shew me where ye have ben.
a1561 G. Cavendish Metrical Visions (1980) 109 Desiryng me, vouchesalue, for to consent To wright ther myshappe.
1681 W. Temple Mem. iii, in Wks. (1731) I. 342 The Duke of Monmouth being Chancellor, I desir'd the King to speak to him.
1710 J. Swift Lett. 10 Oct. (1767) III. 21 He desires me to dine with him again on Sunday.
1747 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1851) V. 138 Thomas McGee..who was desir'd to do it.
1786 S. Haswell Victoria II. 97 Lady Wealthy..desired her to..desire the steward give her twelve guineas.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple I. ix. 119 He desired us to ‘toe a line’, which means to stand in a row.
d. to d. a person that, or of a person that…
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > a person a thing
askOE
beseechc1275
desire1523
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cviii. 130 I desyre you that we may abyde in composicyon.
1539 Bible (Great) Matt. xvi. 1 The Pharises also with the Saduces..desyred him that he wolde shewe them a sygne from heuen.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xxi. 27 The Bascha sent to desire the Ambassador that the next day he would come to his solemne dynner.
1611 Bible (King James) Dan. ii. 16 Then Daniel went in and desired of the King, that hee would giue him time. View more context for this quotation
a1822 P. B. Shelley Charles I ii, in Wks. (1870) II. 389 Go desire Lady Jane She place my lute.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > ask, enquire [verb (transitive)] > as a request
desire1477
demand1549
cravea1616
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 128 Iason..desired the waye.
1708 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1886) II. 107 Mr. Watts came to me..and desir'd of me whether I were a Congregation Man.
a. To request the presence or attendance of; to invite. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > social event > hospitality > invitation > invite [verb (transitive)]
bidc1200
prayc1300
desirec1325
invite1553
convite1568
indite1599
encourage1728
book1840
to ask back1844
c1325 Coer de L. 6871 Saye, that I hym desyre, And al his cursed cumpany in fere.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 513/2 I desyre to dynner, or to a feest, or any repast, je semons.
a1555 J. Bradford in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) III. App. xxxi. 85 I was desyred by a Neighbour..ayenst this Day to Dyner.
1583 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. xlv. Leg. Bp. St. Androis 259 This bischop, beand present thair, Desyrit him hame.
1606 G. W. tr. Justinus Hist. 88 b Arsinoe..desired Phillip into her Citty Cassandria.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iv. vii. 41 I would desire, My famous cosin to our Grecian tents. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > request courteously or invite > invite a person to do something
praya1325
desirec1330
invite1583
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 634 Tow dost me litel worþschipe, When þou me desirest to schenschipe.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. cxv. 136 Ye haue desyred vs to a thynge that is great and weyghtie.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 144 But shall we dance, if they desire vs toot? View more context for this quotation
1645 O. Cromwell Lett. 4 Aug. I sent one Mr. Lee to them, To certify the peaceableness of my intentions, and to desire them to peaceableness.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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