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wantn.1  Brit.  /wɒnt/, U.S. /wɑnt/, /wɔnt/, Welsh English /wɔnt/, /want/Origin: Probably formed within English, by clipping or shortening. Etymon: English wandeweorpe. Etymology: Probably shortened < Old English wandeweorpe, cognate with or formed similarly to Middle Low German wandworp , wannewörpe (German regional (Low German: Osnabrück) wanneworp ) < the Germanic base of wend v.1 + the Germanic base of warp v., perhaps with the original sense ‘turner over and thrower up (of earth)’ (compare mouldwarp n.). Compare Norwegian vånd, Swedish regional vand.With the devoicing of the final dental compare (in a similar phonological environment) lant n.1 and also holt n.2 It has been suggested that this was in origin a west midland dialect feature, which only spread further in some isolated cases. However, for this word the earliest form with final -t appears to be a 12th-cent. surname recorded from Kent (see below). Forms in -d are attested in later Old English and early Middle English as bynames or surnames: Aluric' uuand (1066), Ralph Wande (1306), William Wonde (1327). Forms in -t are apparently attested in similar names as early as the 12th cent.: Rodbertus Lewante (1163–7), Benedict le Want (1327), Joh. le Want (1332). The Old English full form wandeweorpe is also attested in early Old English (and some later) glossaries rendering Latin talpa Talpa n.1, but does not survive into Middle English; compare:eOE Épinal Gloss. (1974) 54 Talpa, uuandaeuuiorpae [eOE Erfurt Gloss. uuondæuuerpe].OE Antwerp-London Gloss. (2011) 58 Talpa uel palpo, wandewurpe. Chiefly English regional ( west midlands and south-western) and Welsh English in later use. the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Talpidae > genus Talpa (mole) eOE (1890) 113/2 Talpa, wond [eOE Épinal Gloss. wand, eOE Erfurt Gloss. uuond, eOE Leiden Gloss. uoond.] a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 339 Þere [i.e. in Ireland] lakkeþ..wontes, and oþere venemous bestes [L. talpis et cæteris venenosis]. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xviii. cii. 1252 The wonte hatte talpa and is a lytel beste somdel liche to a mows. a1425 (Stonyhurst) f. 64 Talpa, a wontt or a moldewarpe. 1509 A. Barclay (Pynson) f. ccviv A slouthfull creature is..as a molle, or vant mete and able For to do profyte within a garden grene. 1566 Act 8 Elizabeth I c. 15 §2 in (1963) IV. i. 498 For the Heades of everie Moldwarpe or Wante one halfpeny. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe 113 b By this Argument you may playnely perceave unlesse you wilbe wilfully blind like a want. 1607 E. Topsell 498 I do vtterly dissent from all them that holde opinion that the Mole or Want is of the kinde of Myse. 1660 (ed. 4) iii. xvii. 207 He beareth, Argent, a Cheuron between three Moles or Wants, Sable. 1686 R. Plot v. 196 Part of a stone..that prettily represented a Mole or Want. 1706 (new ed.) Talpa, (Lat.) the Mole or Want. 1726 R. Bradley 130 Continue to destroy Vermin, especially the Mole or Want, which now breeds plentifully. a1800 S. Pegge (1814) Want, a mole. Herefordshire; where it is pronounced Wunt. 1829 J. L. Knapp 142 The mole, want, mouldwarper, or mould-turner (talpa europæa), is common with us. 1884 Dec. 785/2 Not much bigger than a mouse or small want. 1930 196 This man, aged 86, used to cure milk-fever by squeezing a ‘want’ or mole to death in his hand, and with that hand stroking the affected part. 1979 N. Rogers 91/1 Want, a mole pronounced 'oont in the northern part of our area. ‘As fat as a want’ is a common simile. 2005 S. Elmes i. 14 Fields would be marked with the heaps of soil that indicate the burrowing of ‘wants’ or moles. Compoundsthe world > food and drink > hunting > hunter > hunter of specific animal > [noun] > of moles 1533 in J. Gairdner (1882) VI. 392 [Deposition of John Shubrocke, of Northover], wanttaker. 1598 T. Bastard ii. viii. 32 Walking the fieldes a wantcatcher I spide. 1610 R. Vaughan R 2 Were it not for my brauing-trench and my stankes, I should neuer need the vse of a Want-killer. 1667 Georgical Acct. Devonshire & Cornwall in (1964) 96 295 For wants, or moles, we have want-catchers, (a profession) and set our want traps. 1786 in F. D. Price (1971) 86 Paid Parsons for wont catching. 1872 F. Kilvert 24 Apr. (1944) 174 His son the wantcatcher was very good to him. 1938 E. W. Swanton iii. 19 In rural parts of Somerset and Dorset..the professional mole trapper was always known as a want-catcher. A curious punning epitaph to a want-catcher..recorded that ‘He wanted all his life, And yet by wanting His wants were all supplied’. 1971 F. D. Price p. xxvi The parish maintained a ‘crow-keeper’ to scare off the birds..; and a mole or ‘want’ catcher was also employed. C2. the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > [noun] > order Insectivora > family Talpidae > genus Talpa (mole) > molehill c1450 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker (1884) I. 615/10 (MED) Talpefodium, a wonthylle. 1585 J. Higgins tr. Junius 380/1 Grumus,..an hop hil, mole-hill, or want hill. 1677 G. Miege ii. sig. Iiii3v/1 A Want-hill, une tampiniere. 1727 R. Bradley ii. 28 This plough is used in some parts of Essex and Suffolk for cutting of mole-hills, want-hills and ant-hills. 1866 J. G. Nall 681 Want, a mole... wande-weorp, a casting up, a mole-hill;..in Wessex wont-heaves and wont-hills. 2005 S. Elmes i. 22 A Cornish Glossary... Want-hill, a mole-hill. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online December 2021). wantadj.n.2 Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from early Scandinavian. Partly formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: want v. Etymology: Originally < early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic vant , neuter singular of vanr (adjective) lacking, missing: see wane adj.); in later use probably also partly < want v. With the neuter ending of the Scandinavian etymon compare quart adj., thwart adv., etc. Compare earlier wane adj. and wane n.1Old Icelandic vant (neuter singular adjective) is used predicatively in expressions of the type vera vant to be lacking, typically with the person lacking something in the dative and the thing that is lacking in the genitive and with vant thus behaving similarly to a noun (compare e.g. var þeim vettugis vant they were lacking nothing, they had want of nothing, or var vant kýr a cow was missing, there was want of a cow). Compare North Frisian (Insular) waant need, lack, loss, related to the verb waant to need, lack (see want v.). †A. adj.the mind > possession > non-possession > [noun] > state of being devoid of something > lacking or being without something > that which is lacking c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 14398 Acc hemm wass wannt gastlic innsihht. I þeȝȝre gode lare. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) (1996) i. 1910 Troie Newe is Trinouant, tuo wordes in one & nouht is want. a1425 (Lansd.) (1902) 22 Þe gude herde, þat lefte in þe munte ane wane of a hundrez sep, and yede at seke þis ane þat was want. B. n.2 I. Senses relating to lack or deficiency. 1. the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [noun] > deficiency, lack, or shortage ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 208 Ȝef þu hauest cnif oðer clað. oðer mete oðer drunh..vnnen þet þu hefdest wonte þe seolf þrof. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 131 Now wyl I of hor seruise say yow no more, For vch wyȝe may wel wit no wont þat þer were. 1530 J. Palsgrave 286/2 Want of beauty, laideur. 1547 Queen Katherine Parr sig. f.ii The want & faute is in men, and not in the worde of god. 1587 L. Mascall iii. (Hogges) 261 Where there is want of such trees, yee must haue them to other feeding ground. 1611 Judges xix. 19 There is both straw and prouender for our asses, and there is bread and wine also for me and for thy handmaid..: there is no want of any thing. View more context for this quotation 1651 T. Hobbes i. viii. 34 'Tis the want of Discretion that makes the difference. 1685 Earl of Roscommon (ed. 2) 8 Immodest words admit of no defence; For want of Decency is want of Sense. 1711 R. Steele No. 20. ⁋7 Nothing can atone for the Want of Modesty. 1775 B. Franklin Let. 9 Dec. in (1804) May 347/1 Their total want of English is at present an obstruction to their getting any employment among us. 1848 H. H. Wilson III. iii. 97 The want of cattle for the conveyance of stores and baggage was one of the most serious obstacles of the march of the army. 1859 H. Kingsley (1860) xxxiv. 308 A miserable faction..have assumed the reins of government, and, in spite of three votes of want of confidence, persist in retaining the seals of office. 1884 73 616/2 The deceased was also guilty of negligence or of want of reasonable care contributing to the accident. 1917 G. Saintsbury I. viii. 169 There is no want of salt. 1968 J. B. Kelly iii. 116 A want of accurate information on the Pirate Coast..handicapped Duncan. 2002 21 Jan. 64/1 The sport's want of ‘wow factor’ is offset by its focus on fitness and endurance. the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [noun] > deficiency, lack, or shortage > instance(s) of 1577 J. Dee 32 These, be true Dearths, vpon great wants of Corn, or Cattayle to be had. 1689 J. Evelyn (1955) IV. 643 An extraordinary Drowth, to the threatning of greate Wants, as to the fruits of the Earth. 1751 C. Labelye 75 Difficulties occasioned by..frequent Wants of Stone, which was kept from us by long easterly Winds. 1771 xiii. 129 The writers of former times attributed most of the wants that happened to excessive exportation. 2. the mind > possession > poverty > [noun] the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > hunger > [noun] > scarcity of food or famine the mind > possession > poverty > be poor [verb (intransitive)] > become poor c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) l. 867 Swich hungur as ȝe han byhovus ȝou þolie And, be ȝou lef oþur loþ, libben in wante. c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) l. 857 (MED) Forþi bihovus ȝou, haþel, harde to libbe And wo drie in þis word for wante and for nede. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. iii. 33 To dede may we dryfe, Or lif, for the, For want. 1590 J. Smythe Ded. sig. **2 The French Kings..haue so come to want, that they haue not had anie meanes possible to maintaine any other but a deformed and disordered Milicia. 1597 (1848) 44 Paide for the charges of buringe 9 poore folkes who died for wante in the streetes, for their graves making, 3s. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 116 Scarcity and want shall shun you, Ceres blessing so is on you. View more context for this quotation 1653 W. Ramesey 241 The People generally shall be driven to want. 1766 O. Goldsmith Ballad [the Hermit] in I. viii. 70 Here to the houseless child of want My door is open still. 1782 F. Burney II. iv. x. 257 Who could have thought of his living so among the great folks, and then coming to want! 1841 C. Dickens ii. lxxiii. 222 Through the same kind agency, his mother was secured from want, and made quite happy. 1867 G. MacDonald I. ix. 108 Many was the time that want had come in at her door. 1888 J. Bryce III. cxii. 607 By far the greater number lead very laborious lives, and are..liable to fall into want. 1900 R. W. Barbour (1909) 46 Want is a mighty leveller. 1914 89 644/1 Land should revert to testator's daughter..in case the life tenant failed to make suitable provision for her if she came to want. 1967 M. Meyer i. iii. 81 A young man's first year at university is often spent in circumstances of comparative want. 1994 R. Horrox tr. in ii. iii. 134 If your father and mother come to want and mischief by age or misfortune. 2002 J. McGahern 239 May you live for ever and never die in want. the world > action or operation > adversity > [noun] > hardship > circumstances or times of 1574 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin cvi. 501/2 Let vs bee well ware,..that God suffer vs not to fall intoo manie wantes [Fr. pouretez], and therewithall sende vs no succour. 1589 J. Penry (title) A viewe of some part of such publike wants & disorders as are in the seruice of God, within..Wales. 1614 W. Raleigh i. iii. x. §13. 124 Hitherto the danger of enemies, and miseries of weather and wants, had kept the companie in firme vnitie. 1653 H. Holcroft tr. Procopius War with Vandals ii. 47 in tr. Procopius In the mean time Jabdas leaving a sufficient guard for the Castle was gone up to the top of Aurasium, fearing to be blockt up in the Castle, and reduced to wants. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis vii, in tr. Virgil 430 Rough Saticulans, inur'd to Wants. 1731 T. Woolston Let. 15 Nov. in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Duke of Buccleuch (1899) I. 380 in (C. 9244) XLVI. 1 Ere long I shall be reduced to great wants. a1788 R. Evans (1789) i. 11 Few fall into great and severe wants, or are permitted to remain long under their oppression. 1833 Sept. 193/1 The open profession which he makes of his belief in Christ has several times brought upon him the scorn and ill-treatment of the Heathens, and has reduced him to great wants. the world > space > place > absence > [noun] c1508 Want of Wyse Men (Chepman & Myllar) in (1908) III. 170 Now sele is sorow, this is a wofull werde, Sen want of wyse men makis fulis to sit on binkis. 1581 A. Hall tr. Homer i. 4 Sith I needes muste yeelde hir vp,..(Ah) take hir then..hir want I rather craue, Than that this people here, should not their health and safety haue. 1590 E. Spenser i. viii. sig. G7 As when..An heard of Bulles..Do for the milky mothers want complaine. 1591 ii. sig. A4 The King intreates your soonest speed To visit him, who on your present want, Did ban and cursse his birth, himselfe and me. 1611 C. Tourneur (new ed.) v. sig. L2 The price of things is best knowne in their want. a1625 J. Fletcher Women Pleas'd iii. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Eeeeeev/2 No roome in all the Court but we search'd through it, Her women found her want first, and they cry'd to us. 1633 J. Shirley i. i. sig. B I leaue her to your trust, And in my absence doubt not you will be Both Vncle and a Father. Wor. Willingly... I know shee is your study, in your want I will put on your jealousie. 1738 J. Fraser ii. 41 I sought the Lord Night and Day, as much thro' Sense of the Danger of the Want of him, as thro' any Thing else. 1767 R. Warner tr. Plautus Captives i. ii, in B. Thornton et al. tr. Plautus I. 262 I, since the foe has made your son a captive, Find his true value, and now feel his want. 1831 G. P. R. James I. ii. 19 The want of his gauntlets and brassards showed his arms covered with a quilted jacket of crimson silk. 4. the world > health and disease > ill health > blemish > [noun] the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > imperfection > [noun] > an imperfection > want or shortcoming 1553 J. Cheke Let. 23 Dec. in (1769) I. 175 Yf any of theise wants be in me, I beseche your Lordshipp appoint them to my extreme state. 1592 G. Babington (ix.) f. 38 Greater men then wee haue had theyr wants. 1599 T. Moffett 18 So perfit loue in mortals is not found Some little warts or wants in all we spie. 1602 N. Breton I. sig. C4v Touching which husband, though his wants were grieuous, yet to want him, is my greatest sorrowe. 1619 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher i. sig. B1v So perfect, that no owne [sic] of her owne sex Would finde a want. 1635 (Bundle 80, f. 2v) For repairinge and amendinge of the wants and present decayes of the bridges. 1677 C. Sedley ii. i. 15 A Scepter may for pers'nal wants attone. 1725 E. Young 11 Wants of all kinds are made to Fame a plea; One learns to Lisp, another not to see. the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [noun] the world > space > shape > unevenness > condition or fact of receding > hollowness > [noun] > a cavity or hollow 1664 R. Baxter i. x. 82 The wants in the wheels of your watch are as useful to the motion as the nucks or solid parts. 1688 R. Holme iii. xii. 447/2 An other sort of Cheating Knife, by which they seem to strik or cut a deep slash in the Arm, or to cut off halfe the Nose, whereas the semicircle in the blade of the Knife being set on the Arm, or Nose, shews it to be but a deceipt of sight, through a want in the knife blad. 1725 R. Bradley at Saddle The Saddle should be placed exactly on the middle of the Back, the Fore-bow just at the Want of the Shoulders. 1828 W. Carr (ed. 2) Want, a deficiency or hollow place in a piece of timber, or the edge of a board. the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > be intellectually weak [verb (intransitive)] 1823 J. Galt II. xv. 141 I will honestly confess to you, that I do think there has of late been signs of a want about Mr Walter. 1826 J. Galt vii. 62 The whutch maid her jeer me as if I had a want, and been daft likewyse. 1879 ‘S. Tytler’ in 349 He has a ‘want’, you know, and is not fit for much. 1939 J. M. Caie 15 Hae ye a wint, Or a' your gumption tint? 1988 G. Lamb (at cited word) He his (has) a want aboot him. 1997 B. MacLaverty (1998) 30 She used to eat the tar off the roads in summer. Everyone said there was a wee want in her. 2005 Sc. National Dict. New Suppl. in (Electronic text) (at cited word) [Edinburgh] It's a shame that she had such a bonnie bairn but born wi a want. the world > the earth > minerals > mineral deposits > features of stratum or vein > [noun] > pinching 1854 VII. 117/1 Shaken coal is frequently found in the neighbourhood of ‘wants’, in a regular and seemingly untroubled state. 1867 W. W. Smyth 26 The thinning by a gradual depression of the roof till sometimes the entire coal is gone, but for a certain width only, is a kind of fault (nip or want). 1902 R. W. Dron 112 At many of the collieries ‘wants’ occur in the seams, where the coal has been washed away by aqueous action at the time of its formation. 1967 I. A. Williamson viii. 75/2 The want, barren ground or gape is the area along a fault in which a particular bed is absent. II. Senses relating to need or desire. the mind > will > necessity > condition of being necessary > need or want > [noun] 1551 S. Gardiner f. 33 Christ is our aduocate & entreateth for vs, or pleadeth for vs, not to supplye any wante on gods behalfe, but to releaue our wantes in edification. 1578 H. Wotton tr. J. Yver 251 The Grecian Prince..caried a bagge full of winde to supply his want at all times. 1600 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 138 I would..Supply your present wants . View more context for this quotation 1611 Judges xix. 20 Let all thy wants lie vpon me; only lodge not in the street. View more context for this quotation 1617 F. Moryson i. 62 The Citizens lay up corne brought out of Poland, and according to the wants of Europe, carry it into many kingdomes. 1648 T. Gage 127 The Fryers..upon a sudden want or occasion take out from thence as much fish as will give the whole Cloister a dinner. 1700 2 Mr. Antony Gillis.., who pitied their Miseries, relieved their Wants, and (under God) saved their Lives. 1790 E. Burke 88 Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to provide for human wants . View more context for this quotation 1819 P. B. Shelley ii. ii. 29 The eldest son of a rich nobleman..has wide wants, and narrow powers. 1841 C. Dickens i. xi. 145 Day after day and night after night, found her still by the pillow of the unconscious sufferer, still anticipating his every want. 1876 J. B. Mozley xv. 258 As soon as one great want is satisfied another arises, and then another. 1917 80 205 Mineral salt can be found in Russia in quantities sufficient to supply the wants of the whole world for centuries. 1936 Mar. 83/2 To satisfy a long-felt want on the part of the serious student. 1955 W. J. Bate ii. 70 General wishes have to localize themselves into definite wants. 2006 May 11 Architects and designers no longer provide for our needs but for our wants. the mind > will > necessity > condition of being necessary > need or want > [noun] > a need or requirement the mind > will > necessity > condition of being necessary > need or want > [noun] > that which is needed or required 1579 in Hist. MSS Comm.: 10th Rep.: App. Pt. V: MSS Marquis of Ormonde &c. (1885) 430 in (C. 4576-I) XLII. 1 That no..tymber be ladden or transported oute of this towne..salfe onely fuell of wood for fyre and the presente wannte of repayringe of the shippis. 1645 J. Howell iii. xxxi. 108 For the soyl of Spain, the fruitfulnesse of their vallies recompences the sterility of their hills, corn is their greatest want. 1677 72 My greatest want at present is a Countrey Lad that would willingly put himself an Apprentice to our Trade. 1764 D. Garrick 23 Aug. (1963) II. 423 If you had written yr Wants Sooner, I could have got a very active Girl at Padua. 1785 W. Paley vi. xi. 593 Habitual superfluities become real wants. 1859 F. Nightingale 7 The remedies are just as well known; and among them is certainly not the establishment of a Child's Hospital. This may be a want. 1872 2 Apr. 341 (advt.) Wants and Vacancies. A Medium for the Selection of Servants and Situations. Price One Penny. 1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides I. 177 You will gain the alliance of a great naval power, and a navy is your chief want. 1950 24 Mar. 19/4 (advt.) Clubs..can use our national net-work of experts to provide grounds, fixtures, insurance, fund-raisers and all club wants. 1983 J. Barzun 280 He did not fall into the trap of supposing that a child's needs are the same as his wants. 1998 June 60/2 The Combs came up with their list of wants and the people at Tall Timber Builders put their plans together. the mind > will > necessity > condition of being necessary > need or want > [noun] > sense of need 1820 P. B. Shelley Sensitive Plant in 157 Like a doe in the noon-tide with love's sweet want. 1894 ‘G. Egerton’ 179 The band..strike up..a weird witching thing with a want in it. 1941 S. Cloete vi. 104 A month had passed. Such a month as she had never conceived possible, a month of aching want for Dirk. 2001 J. M. Johnston vi. 110 They could never be friends now. Not now that he'd tasted her, not now that she'd felt his want and his need. Phrases P1. for (the) want of. the mind > possession > non-possession > non-possession [phrase] > through lack of a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4116 Whanne I thenke vpon the kisse And how mych Ioye and blisse I hadde thurgh the sauour swete For wante of it I grone and grete. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 182v Antenor..denyet hym onon þat noqwere he knew Þat comuly be keppet ne in cloese haldyn Þen wrathid þo worthi [Agamemnon] for wont of þe burde. 1544 R. Tracy sig. Avi For through the want of preachyng of Godes worde..mennes tradycyons be crept into the conscyences of ye symple innocentes in the steade of the lawe of God. 1552 J. Caius f. 33v Nature is weke, ij. waies, either in the selfe, or by the annoiance of an other. In the selfe, by wante of strength consumed by sicknes or other wise. 1573 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 12v For want of seede, lande bringeth weede. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 156 For often haue you writ to her: and she in modesty, Or else for want of idle time, could not againe reply. View more context for this quotation a1633 G. Herbert (1640) sig. C2v For want of a naile the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 120 'Twas then that Buffalo's, ill pair'd, were seen To draw the Carr of Jove's Imperial Queen For want of Oxen. View more context for this quotation 1732 J. Gay Let. 13 Mar. in J. Swift (1913) IV. 285 I find myself dispirited, for want of having some pursuit. 1766 Ld. Kames 55 When a man is pinched for want of money, he will submit to any conditions, however hard, to come at it. 1808 E. S. Barrett 136 They could not pursue them for want of cavalry. 1876 T. Bryant (ed. 2) I. xv. 642 Umbilical Hernia..is common in children from want of closure of the umbilicus. 1889 ‘J. S. Winter’ (1891) x. 125 He..had no notion of losing anything for the want of asking for it. 1910 I. 820/1 The latter mission..failed, through want of support, to secure a foothold. 1920 J. Masefield 52 The lamp-flame purred from want of oil. 1935 I. Compton-Burnett v. 67 She was always so short of money; we had always to see her troubled for the want of it. 1968 31 100 The missionaries believed that the new literates that they produced allowed their skills to rust away from want of use. 1975 3 Dec. 50/2 They have sought..to topple foreign governments and to murder foreign leaders. If they failed, it was not for want of trying. 1991 17 392 We frequently get cases of marasmus due to improper feeding, often simply through want of knowledge. 2007 23 July 5/1 Bored siblings lay into one another for want of anything better to do. 1623 T. Powell sig. Hh4v (table) How an Iniunction may fall for want of prosecution. 1749 H. Fielding II. viii. x. 152 l expected certain Conviction..but..none appeared against me, and l was..discharged for Want of Prosecution. 1836 26 Mar. 393/2 C. died, and his suit was dismissed for want of prosecution. 1936 26 667 The judge can not refuse to dismiss for the want of prosecution, where the defendant demands a trial, and due diligence has not been used to obtain the necessary witnesses for the prosecution. 2011 C. L. Sun ii. 22 The tribunal found the claimant's delay to be inordinate and inexcusable but decided that he lacked the jurisdiction to dismiss the claim for want of prosecution. P2. in want of. 1546 J. Heywood i. v. sig. Biiv In want of white teeth and yelow heares to behold,She flourisheth in white syluer and yelow gold. 1599 R. Gardiner sig. B3v All the parings and weedings..is very good to rancken the Garden in wante of other mucke. 1655 N. Culpeper et al. tr. L. Rivière x. vi. 298 In want of Milk, you may give Almond Milk, or Barley Cream, or Rice Milk. 1689 G. Rule iii. ix. 278 We think it a gross abuse to admit of other Sponsors, except in the want of Parents, or their Inhability. 1726 Bp. J. Butler xiv. 275 There is just the same Reason for quiet Resignation in the Want of every Thing equally unattainable. 1778 H. Brooke Antony & Cleopatra i. i, in II. 332 In the want of a more powerful hand, Or wiser head to rule, some new adventurer Starts up to signiorship. 1840 I. Disraeli (new ed.) I. 176 In the want of encouragement from great men, and even from booksellers, De Lolme had recourse to a subscription. 1891 R. H. Davis 86 Milk was the only thing he was quite sure babies cared for, but in want of this he made a mess of bits of the dry ham and crumbs of bread, moistened with the raw whiskey. 1910 11 425 Parents were required to furnish the inspector on demand a certificate from the office of registration of births, or, in the want of that, an affidavit of the age of the child. 1992 S. Weinberg (1994) vi. 162 It is studied either because of its practical importance or in want of anything better to do. the mind > possession > non-possession > non-possession [phrase] > through lack of 1556 in W. Mackay & H. C. Boyd (1911) I. 2 That day..assingit to James Paterson..to preif quhat skayth he had sustenit in want of his boyt quhilkis Necoll Kar intromettit with. the mind > possession > supply > [phrase] > having abundant supply of 1567 G. Turberville tr. G. B. Spagnoli v. f. 44v He standes in want of helpe and of some forraine ayde. [No corresponding sentence in the Latin original.] 1588 Certaine Advts. Ireland sig. A iiiv, in Ld. Burghley The fleete was in great want of fresh water. 1613 W. Shute tr. J. J. Orlers & H. van Haestens 259 Being in no want of money nor apparell. 1645 5 We being in much want of Canon and Demy-Canon Bullets, were inforced to invite the Souldiers to..go under the Wall and fetch back those Bullets that fell down. 1669 G. Miege 129 There were so many Trumpets, Kettle-drums, Howboys, and other such instruments of war..that for two miles we were in no want of Musique. 1710 R. Steele No. 5. ⁋5 Their Troops were in Want of all Manner of Necessaries. 1769 W. Blackstone IV. ii. 31 A man in extreme want of food or clothing. 1813 J. Austen I. i. 1 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. 1837 W. Irving II. 269 You are more in want of horses than I am: keep him. 1853 C. Dickens xii. 111 She is in no want of words to shower upon Rosa. 1918 M. C. Stopes & R. V. Wheeler 19/2 The use of the phrase ‘humic coals’ is much in want of elucidation. 1922 A. Williams vii. 116 He is in want of a couple of good horses, for Poppet is getting a little ancient, and Colonel has a nasty limp on the near hind leg. 2007 26 Nov. 59/3 If your male is in want of diversion, treat him to a TV subscription. 1642 11 Now if famine punish excesse, if wofull want follow wilfull waste, [etc.]. 1696 C. Ness IV. xxi. 80 He would have us Thrifty, but not Niggardly; wilful waste brings woful want. 1736 N. Bailey et al. (ed. 2) at Waste Wilful Waste makes woful Want. 1788 M. W. iii. i. 188 If ‘a wilful Waste makes a woeful Want’, it is very certain, in the natural Course of Things, that Luxury must destroy the Substance, and bring on Distress and Poverty. 1829 E. Hewlett (ed. 6) xii. 195 For daintiness or wastefulness I should think the loss of a meal a suitable punishment; you tell a child that ‘wilful waste makes woeful want,’ and you thus give him a slight specimen of the inconvenience to which his fault naturally leads. 1877 A. F. Samuels iv. 52 ‘I don't care for stolen fruit... Open the window and throw them out.’ ‘Why, that would be a wilful waste, an' “wilful waste makes woeful want”.’ 1936 R. G. Plowhead v. 99 Was not ‘wilful waste makes woeful want,’ one of her favorite mottoes? Would not discarding so many yards of expensive silk because of its brightness of color be wilful waste? 2012 B. Lawrence 6 I try not to waste food or throw it away, and turn leftover ingredients into meals. ‘Wilful waste makes woeful want’ after all, and food waste is a major global issue. 1738 J. Swift 59 I want that Diamond-Ring of yours... Why, then, Want's like to be your Master. 1794 E. J. Eyre iii. i. 48 Sir Marv. Well, my friend, what do you want? Acute. Money! Sir Marv. Then want is like to be your master. 1828 J. P. Collier 80 Punch. Come up stairs: I want you. Judy. Then want must be your master. I'm busy. 1854 C. M. Yonge I. ii. iv. 179 ‘I am sure your mother and sister must want you.’ ‘Want must be their master.’ 1962 ‘E. Peters’ ii. 37 ‘I want to go.’ ‘Then this time,’ said Johnny flatly, ‘want will be your master, that's all.’ 2001 E. Hood viii. 106 ‘Then want must be his master.’ Celia's voice, hard as flint, dredged up a favourite saying of hers. Compounds society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > advertising > advertising in the press > [noun] > types of press advertisement 1892 18 May 645/2 Be suspicious..that their Circulations are Small when you see comparatively small numbers of ‘want ads.’ in papers. 1940 R. Chandler vii. 43 The Montgomery killing hadn't even made the want-ad section. 1991 Aug. 28/2 Peruse the want ads in the Saturday papers and your community weekly. society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > advertising > advertising in the press > [noun] > types of press advertisement a1871 G. B. Woods (1873) 14 The intelligence offices and the organs of ‘want’ advertisements profit by the general shiftings. 1919 F. Hurst 116 She took to..scanning want-advertisements as she stood at the news-stand. 2009 M. Hansbury 164 Search the want advertisements. Fax your resume to agencies and businesses. 1850 Ld. Tennyson xxvii. 44 I envy not in any moods..The heart that never plighted troth But stagnates in the weeds of sloth, Nor any want-begotten rest. View more context for this quotation 1888 E. Pfeiffer vi. 169 Is it supposed that the chastity which undoubtedly distinguishes women of the better class is so mere a ‘want-begotten’ endowment, that the maintenance of it entitles them to no praise? 1852 B. R. Hall xvi. 290 Out comes a newspaper..with columns for each and every separate kind of sort of news! The want column—the murder column—the rowdy fight [etc.]. 1901 W. R. H. Trowbridge iv. 14 Lady Beatrice found her [sc. her cook] in the Want column of the Standard. 2011 R. T. Waldo ii. 13 Clarke was able to embark on his career in professional baseball because of an advertisement he placed in the want column of The Sporting News. 1826 P. G. Patmore 63 You would, in a month from the time you set foot in this want-creating city, have ten times as many to supply as you now have. 1897 M. Kingsley 651 The manifold, want-creating culture of modern European civilisation and education. 1969 P. Kilby iv. vii. 220 Want-creating advertisements. 2001 R. Zucker x. 197 There was considerable ingenuity and taste in the product features, and these had a want creating effect. 1884 1 Oct. 1/3 Bring your want list to E. P. Prentice the C. O. D. grocer. 1890 4 (end matter) (advt.) Our specialty is completeness in every branch of Philately. Try us with your want list. 1903 29 Oct. 410/1 The proposal..that a ‘Wants’ list be compiled..recording the wants of the members with regard to the loan or purchase of tools, materials, [etc.]. 1972 20 May 30/3 (advt.) Don't settle for poor imitations. We have the originals. Send ‘want list’ to The Record Hunter [etc.]. 1994 Nov. 46/2 (advt.) A ‘wants list’ service catering for the needs of collectors from beginners to specialists. 2011 B. Stoddard 99 Today Pepsi and Pete memorabilia is at the top of the ‘want list’ for many Pepsi collectors. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022). wantv. Origin: A borrowing from early Scandinavian. Etymology: < an early Scandinavian verb meaning ‘to be lacking’ (compare Old Icelandic vanta , Old Swedish vanta (Swedish regional vanta ), Norwegian (Nynorsk) vanta , Old Danish vante (Danish regional (Jutland) vante )), showing a derivative (with dental suffix) of the Germanic base of wane adj. In later use often associated with the ultimately related want n.2 (The final consonant in the two Scandinavian words is apparently of different origin.)West Germanic parallel. Compare North Frisian (Insular) waant to need, fail, lack, to do without (personal and impersonal), also borrowed < a Scandinavian language, probably Danish. Syntactic and semantic development. The early Scandinavian verb was originally impersonal (personal uses in the individual Scandinavian languages reflect later developments); in English this is reflected by sense 2. Levelling of cases in Middle English made it possible for the object of the impersonal construction (often in initial position) to take over the function of the subject of a new personal construction, allowing further sense developments. For a detailed discussion see M. Bertschinger To Want: an Essay in Semantics (1941). I. To be lacking, to lack, and related senses. See also wanting adj. I., where some later predicative uses could be interpreted as instances of intransitive senses of the verb in the progressive. 1. a. the mind > possession > non-possession > not have [verb (transitive)] > lack c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 13380 All þatt wannteþþ cristess hald All sinnkeþþ inn till helle. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 1233 Wantede ðit child faiernesse and migt, His moder wurð neg dead for frigt. c1330 (?c1300) (Auch.) (1898) l. 316 Lat hit noht come in þi þouht Þat any of hem shal wanten ouht. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 340 Thre thousand haill off likly men in wer And feill on fute quhilk wantyt hors and ger. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. xiii. 144 Full wofull is the householde That wantys a woman. ?1531 J. Frith i. sig. div We haue al sinned and want the glorye which before god is alowed. 1577 in W. H. Turner (1880) 395 Everye one that shall wante his gowne shall lose his place. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. vi. 8 Who cannot want the thought, how monstrous It was for Malcolme, and for Donalbane To kill their gracious Father? View more context for this quotation 1625 C. Burges 67 It is a thousand pitties they should want blowes who will doe nothing without them. 1684 tr. T. Bonet i. 16 If you want Peaches, you may use Juice of soure Apples. 1700 J. Dryden 2 Below this Marble Monument is laid All that Heav'n wants of this Celestial Maid. 1728 T. Sheridan in tr. Persius iii. 48 It is very natural that Sciences should be ridiculed by those who want them. a1796 R. Burns (1968) II. 820 Some have meat and cannot eat, Some can not eat that want it. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. iii. 302 Mulgrave, though he wanted experience, wanted neither parts nor courage. 1852 R. A. Willmott (ed. 2) vi. 37 The Library of Petrarch wanted the Divine Comedy, until Boccaccio sent it decorated with gold. 1876 L. Stephen I. 170 A purely optimistic creed always wants any real stamina. 1929 J. Alexander 148 As lang's fowk's born bar'fit, he [sc. a cobbler] wunna wint a job. 1970 in (1976) X. (at cited word) [Aberdeenshire] The joug was aa chippit and wantit the hanle. 2008 A. Mallinson ii. vii. 165 Are you saying that he wants courage? society > communication > book > leaves or pages of book > [verb (transitive)] > in bibliography: lack a leaf or page 1694 J. Bullord 10 Graftons Chronicle of England the best edit. wants 1 leaf at the beginning. 1728 R. Rawlinson tr. N. Lenglet Dufresnoy II. xlvi. 355 This Book is not to be met with perfect, but wants several Leaves, and all the Figures. 1773 J. White 68 Cole's English and Latin Dictionary, wants last leaf. 1816 (Emerson Charnley) 24 Carde of Fancie,..black letter, wants sig. E. the inset of sig. G. and sig. R. to the end, half-bound, 18s. 1895 M. R. James 114 Vellum... Cent. xiv, xv... Collation: a8 (wants 1, 2) b8–ff8. 1976 5 150 i8 wants 1. 1982 C. Hurst 7 Wants table & register, & blanks a1, qq8. 2004 C. S. Knighton Suppl. Ser. I. 163 Another copy of the above. Wants A2 and A3. b. In present participle. the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > less > by difference from a larger quantity ?c1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (Paris) (1971) 103 (MED) Alle þe pustles þe whiche leuen corrocioun..beþ euel colrik pustles..þer ben many spices wantynge name [L. carentes nomina]. c1484 (a1475) J. de Caritate tr. (Takamiya) (1977) 176 (MED) Euiry thyng wantyng lyght of þe nombyr of vegetabyllis is attribute to Saturne. 1536 Reg. Riches Cathedral of Sarum in E. Ledwich (1771) 192 A cross, with Abraham offering up Isaac, and a lamb behind him, with an Angel wanting one Wing. 1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid i. f. 1v A lyne is..length wantyng breadth and thicknes. 1597 W. Shakespeare ii. iii. 10 What a weary way From Rauenspurgh to Cotshall will be found, In Rosse and Willoughby wanting your company. 1625 P. Heylyn (rev. ed.) 128 Small birds wanting beak, feet and legges. a1684 J. Evelyn anno 1645 (1955) II. 380 Three Chips of the real Crosse, one of the Nailes, wanting a point. 1779 Inventory 16 June in T. Jefferson (1950) II. 297 1 sett green worsted bed Curtains wanting vallons, top and head-piece. 1787 F. Grose Superstitions 19 in As they seem a sort of mixture between White and Black, and wanting a name, may, without any great impropriety, be named Grey Witches. 1839 30 Nov. 376/1 The prelate's picture, in his captain's uniform, the left hand wanting a finger, is still to be seen in the Bishop's Palace at Cork. 1880 W. H. Patterson Wanting, without. ‘You're better wanting that.’ 1886 R. L. Stevenson xviii. 169 I would not go wanting sword and gun, and with a long fishing-rod. 1904 ‘H. Foulis’ xi. 71 Hoo are they gettin' on in Gleska wantin' Erchie MacPherson? 1969 24 Jan. 2 Ye canna gae awa' wintin' br'akfast. 1988 G. Lamb (at cited word) A man came intae the shop wantan a leg caused much amusement because of its ambiguity! 2000 S. Blackhall 50 Aa bairns will..Growe up at the day nursery, Mappit oot wi statistics, Wintin feelins an finnins,..Spikkin tae the video. ?1556 L. Digges xi. sig. D.iiii So muche of my ruler (wantyng some small quantity) maketh a fote. 1584 B. R. tr. Herodotus i. f. 16v A woman named Phya of stature foure cubits high, wanting three fingers. 1629 T. Hobbes tr. Thucydides ii. 89 10000 Talents wanting 300. 1668 H. P. Cressy vii. xvi. 135/1 Nicephorus better understood the sence of Eusebius, writing thus, when the end of Helenas life approached, she deceased at Rome, being fourscore years old, wanting one. 1726 J. Swift I. ii. i. 26 I measured the Tail of the dead Rat, and found it to be two Yards long wanting an Inch. 1777 A. Adams Let. 6 May in J. Adams & A. Adams (1876) 268 'Tis four months wanting three days since we parted. 1809 W. Bawdwen tr. 246 In Scireburne (Sherborn) with the Berewicks, the archbishop has 100 carucates of land, wanting four. 1885 14 Mar. 51/2 Is it or is it not the fact that the property is held for a term of fifty years wanting ten days, from the 25th Dec. 1856? 1917 A. Werner tr. Utendi wa Mwana Kupona in 1 170 I call upon Thee, O Lord, by Thy ninety nine beautiful names—a hundred wanting one. ?1561 iii. sig. i Remember I saye once agayne your duetie of thankes, let them be neuer to wante. the mind > possession > non-possession > not have [verb (transitive)] > something undesirable 1566 T. Churchyard (single sheet) Whilest fraude and fained cheere dooth euell honour feede:..Full fickle shall you walke, and neuer wante disease. 1607 T. Tomkis i. viii. sig. Cv Crumena Vacua neuer wants the plague. a1677 T. Manton (1693) IV. ii. 509 The greatest Plague was upon his Heart when he wanted other Plagues. 1787 J. Beattie 105 We wanted the plague in Scotland, when they had it in England. a1791 F. Grose (1792) 110 I am much better indeed; I have wanted the gout these three months. 1839 31 525 We shall never want the plague of quarantines, while we have such purveying doctors as the above, who can convert the blow of a cable into a brace of buboes! 1872 A. S. Gibb 100 The fever was then ragin' in Greenock, for ye ken wi' our houses a' hauled thegither, an' the ill water we had then, an' the foul air that hangs about our wynds and closes, we never hardly want fever. 1913 E. M. Wright viii. 117 To want (Sc. Irel. and n. dialects) signifies to do or be without, to be free from, e.g. She never knew what it was to want a headache. 1996 C. I. Macafee 377/1 Want,..4. be without, be free from. †2. the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > be insufficient [verb (intransitive)] > be wanting c1225 (?c1200) (Bodl.) (1938) 16 (MED) Of al þet eauer wa is ne schal ham neauer wontin. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 298 Ne þunche hire neauer wunder ȝef hire wonti þe haligastes froure. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 145 Hwenne ow ne wonteð nan þing þefaȝeneð wið ow. a1325 (c1250) (1968) l. 2155 Ðan coren wantede in oðer lond, Ðo ynug [was] vnder his hond. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 3053 Þam wanted brede, þeir water es gan, Hope o lijf ne had þai nan. a1425 (a1400) (1916) 1 Cor. i. 7 (MED) Ȝee be maad ryche in hym..so þat no thyng wante to ȝou in any grace. 1484 W. Caxton tr. iii. ix. f. lixv They whiche ben on lyue haue some whiche drede them, but theyr drede wantith and faylleth whan they ben dede. 1526 W. Bonde iii. sig. CCiii Where obedience wanteth (saythe saynt Austen) there is no goodes. 1546 J. Heywood ii. i. sig. Fii Diners can not be long, where deyntees want. 1579 E. Spenser June 3 Tell me, what wants me here, to worke delyte? a1592 R. Greene (1598) iv. sig. G4v O wearie life, where wanted no distresse. 1631 Earl of Manchester Let. 3 Feb. in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Duke of Buccleuch (1899) I. 273 in (C. 9244) XLVI. 1 If your help be in this business, as I know it shall not want, it is no matter though your hand wanted to the certificate. a1648 Ld. Herbert (1649) 17 Besides, that in France their never wanted discontented Persons, who would joyn with his Forces. 1702 There wants not those who are ready to appear and give Evidence against them. 1754 A. P. Goddard tr. F. Guicciardini VI. xii. 320 There were no Paths, and every now and then there wanted a sufficient Breadth for the Artillery. 1827 H. Hallam I. viii. 465 There wanted not reasons in the cabinet of Charles for placing the navy at this time on a respectable footing. 1830 T. P. Thompson in Jan. 262 There wants a collection of dying speeches of nefarious governments. c1380 (1879) l. 3302 (MED) Þe places on þe toure war þat fyr haþ hente, þer ne wanteþ noȝt enches foure þat þay ne buþ þorw brente. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 14667 Littel wantid þat þam [perhaps read þai ne] war wode. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 1062 & of þat ilk nwȝere bot neked now wonteȝ. c1400 (?c1380) (1920) l. 739 ‘And fyve wont of fyfty,’ quod God, ‘I schal forȝete alle, And wythhalde my honde for hortyng on lede.’ a1500 (c1400) (1977) l. 208 (MED) After þat Brutus þis burghe had buggid on fyrste, Noȝt bot fife hundred ȝere þer aghtene wontyd Before þat kynned ȝour Criste. 1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello f. 57 There wanted nothynge to consommate the mariage, but solemne publicacion. 1618 J. Wilkinson ii. f. 79v The steward may impanell any stranger, if there want to make xii. of ye Iury. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis xii, in tr. Virgil 606 Then, shall I see Laurentum in a flame, Which only wanted to compleat my shame. 1768 J. Wilkes I. Introd. 13 The fire had been long laid, and there only wanted such a spark to force a blaze. the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > be insufficient [verb (intransitive)] > become scanty or scarce > run out a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 2530 But word and witte with chere full pale Shull wante forto tell thy tale. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 5480 Or els þai tillid þaim to þe trees as þe buke tellis, And gert þaim laike with þaim so lange till þaim þe life wantis. 1553 R. Eden in tr. S. Münster Ded. sig. aav One whose good will hath not wanted to gratifie your grace with a better thing if mine abilitie were greater. 1598 R. Hakluyt tr. Vincent of Beauvais in (new ed.) I. 58 But they of the citie fought manfully against them, with engines, dartes, and arrowes, and when stones wanted they threw siluer, and especially melted siluer. a1607 A. Dent (1608) sig. A5 When the wine wanted at the mariage, he turned water in deed into wine in deed. the world > space > place > absence > be absent [verb (intransitive)] R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle 76 Saluum me fac deus, quoniam defecit sanctus, þat is to say: ‘lorde, make me sayffe, for þe sayntis wantys’. c1450 (1904) I. 169 In þe kurk of Palernens was þer a certan dean þat sent a servand of his to seke a palfray of his þat hym wantid. a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Wolf & Wether l. 2499 in (1981) 93 In all thingis he [sc. the wether] counterfait the do, For all the nycht he stude, and tuke na sleip, Swa that weill lang thair wantit not ane hog. 1572 (a1500) (1882) 290 Ane man that office suld beir be tyme at this tyde, He will be found in his fault, that wantis foroutin weir. 1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio 153 For there wanted aboue sixe thousand souldiers of them which had been leuied. the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > do nothing [verb (intransitive)] > fail to do something the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > fail or be unsuccessful [verb (intransitive)] > fail or fall short a1475 (Lansd.) (1999) II. l. 9047 Þat man lyueþ in right weie; And þerfore whan he shal deie, Þe good angel shal not want To be redy at his hant..And resceiue him wiþ noble chere. a1500 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Stowe) l. 16733 (MED) Thow, lady, ffayllest neuere, nor thow wantest nat to do socour and helpe to alle that deuoutly besechyn and prayen vn-to the. ?1576 sig. B Like beggers wee liue and want to pay rent. a1635 R. Sibbes (1638) 24 A divell incarnate may know all things and yet want to see. 1643 J. Burroughes 632 So farre as you want in your endeavours after this, so farre there is an evill. 1693 W. Freke 266 Their Files be so constant that their Souldiers never want to find out their Post again. 3. the mind > possession > non-possession > not have or lack [verb (intransitive)] c1390 in F. J. Furnivall (1901) ii. 501 He wrot so faste til þat he want, ffor his parchemyn-skin was so scant. a1450 (1969) l. 339 (MED) Serue hym to þi lyfes ende And sertys þou schalt not wante. ?a1450 in H. Sandison (1913) 124 He wavers as the wynde..Now better, now wursse, now plesure, then payne; Now to want, then to haue, now love, then dysdayne. 1535 Prov. xxviii. D He that geueth vnto the poore, shal not wante. 1579 E. Hake v. sig. E5v Though their bellies want: Their backs must brauely clothed be. 1618 J. Taylor sig. F4v Master James Acmootye comming for England, said, that if I would ride with him, that neither I nor my horse should want betwixt that place and London. 1620 ‘Kinde Kit of Kingstone’ sig. C3 He [sc. the King] being moued, to see one so well featur'd (as she was) to want, entertained her for one of his Pages. a1677 J. Taylor (1684) ii. iii. 193 It was a position of the Stoicks, that he was not poor who wanted; but he who was necessitated. 1679 T. Kirke 13 In the Highlands,..if one Man has two Cows, and another wants, he shall soon supply himself from his Neighbour. 1701 W. Baldwin 22 There is a sweet complacency in doing good, and being kind to those that want. 1778 G. Washington Let. 15 June in (1931) XII. 65 After the North Carolinians are supplied, the remainder [of the Blankets] shall be distributed among the troops who most want. 1835 J. Monteath 76 ‘I've plenty o' siller.’ ‘And I dinna want.’ 1885 R. Lawson 58 I'm a puir man, and can neither work nor want. 1957 J. Osborne (1961) 53 Nobody wants, and nobody goes without, all are provided for. the mind > possession > non-possession > not have [verb (transitive)] > lack c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) v. l. 2121 Ydumeus..made hym surete He shuld..nat want of what may do him ese. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 4586 Þe same wyse dose a wolfe þat wantis of his pray. c1500 (1895) 147 He demanded of them what they ayled, and yf they wanted of eny thing. 1549 J. Ponet tr. B. Ochino sig. Y.i I wyll be allwayes with hym, neither shall he want of my fauour, grace, and defense at any time. 1600 F. L. tr. Ovid i. sig. D1v Are her teeth blacke or wants shee of the best? Relate some merry iest that shee may grinne. 1631 T. May tr. J. Barclay i. 206 The English which want somewhat of the pompous shew of the French humanity, doe want much more of their barbourous cruelty. 1658 R. Allestree xvii. §8. 365 We want of..the due compassion, if we can be content our poor brother should have one hour of unnecessary suffering, when we have present opportunity of relieving him. 1672 A. Marvell i. 69 Though you may discover the same fury, yet it wants of the same vigour. 1731 (Royal Soc.) 36 301 And if ever it is found otherwise, I cannot but think that Loadstone wants of Perfection. 1766 H. Brooke II. xii. 270 However brilliant a diamond may be..it wants of its value and lustre, till suitably set. the mind > possession > non-possession > not have [verb (transitive)] > lack the mind > possession > wealth > be rich [verb (intransitive)] > have no lack of necessaries or comforts in life 1560 Ezra i. 6 (margin) Rather then the children of God shulde want for their necessities, he wolde stirre vp the heart of the very infideles to helpe them. 1591 i. sig. A4 He shall want for nothing at our hands. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 8 Fye no, doe not beleeue it: hee cannot want for money. View more context for this quotation 1652 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney (1907) I. 519 Let her want for nothing. 1679 J. Dryden & N. Lee i. 12 While Argos is a People, think your Thebes Can never want for Subjects. 1714 D. Manley 54 The Ambassador did not want either for Friends in England, nor in Hilaria's own Family. 1747 E. Poston I. 74 I hope thou art well, and dost not want for the common Necessaries of Life. 1786 A. M. Bennett III. 153 But that was his misfortune, as he wanted not for perseverance, cunning, or cold blood, the three grand characteristics of a Scotchman. 1838 C. Dickens III. xxxvii. 9 Mrs. Bumble..did not want for spirit, as her yokefellow could abundantly testify. 1886 ‘Ouida’ i. 6 He was happy and wanted for nothing. 1925 E. Smith in B. C. Williams 187 He doesn't want for money, with this plantation bringing in a steady income and all the servants he needs. 1980 D. M. Kennedy (1982) iv. 204 His men for the most part did not want for courage. 2000 Feb. 71/1 I came from a privileged background and wanted for nothing materially. 4. the mind > possession > loss > lose [verb (transitive)] a1425 (c1395) (Royal) (1850) 2 Chron. xxi. 19 He wantide sorewe and liyf togidere. c1440 (?a1400) l. 398 (MED) Latte me neuere wauntte ȝow..My menske and my manhede ȝe mayntene in erthe. c1450 (?a1400) (Ashm.) l. 3150 Sum ware þe handis of hewen & sum wondid [a1500 Trin. Dublin wantyd] hoȝes. a1513 W. Dunbar Ballat Abbot of Tungland in (1998) I. 57 He cowth gif cure for laxatyve, To gar a wicht hors want his lyve. 1535 Isa. xxxviii. C I thought I shulde haue gone to the gates of hell in my best age, and haue wanted the residue of my yeares. c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece ix. xiv. f. 120/1 He maid mony lawis for the liberte of haly kirke. He yt dang ane preist suld want his hand. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1888) I. 121 Lat him want his sword, and thair eftir avoyd his cumpanie. 1632 W. Struther ii. 72 Hee [sc. Solomon]..adiudged the living Babe to her, who in a sparing affection choosed rather to want her Babe, than the Babe should want his life. 1696 A. Telfair 4 The Pot-hooks and Hanger were carried out of the Chimney, and being wanted four days, they found them at last in a Cockloft. 1723 A. Ramsay (1724) 25 I neither wanted Ew nor Lamb, While his Flock near me lay. the mind > mental capacity > memory > faulty recollection > recollect wrongly [verb (transitive)] > fail to recollect a1425 in (1985) 68 159 (MED) Manie men han þis name Iohn, but þei wanten þat it bitokeneþ. c1430 (c1380) G. Chaucer (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1871) l. 287 And manye a mayde of whiche the name I wante. ?1573 L. Lloyd f. 138v What is it els for a manne to wante Memorie, but to wante the name of his knowen frende. 1591 J. Harington tr. L. Ariosto xxiii. lviii. 181/2 Sir (quoth Orlando) though I want your name, A noble knight you are it may be guest. 1598 Floure & Leafe in T. Speght f. 366v/1 Diamonds fine and rubies red And many another stone of which I went The names now. the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > sorrow caused by loss > suffer sorrow for loss of [verb (transitive)] a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1957) v. xi. 100 My self left Beroes..Lyand seyk at hame, and ful ennoyit wight, That scho alane suld want [L. careret] this ryal syght. a1525 Bk. Chess 1477 in W. A. Craigie (1923) I He..erar thocht this vergyne to forgo Than want this man that he had luffit so. 1623 J. Webster iii. ii. sig. G3 You shall want him, For know an honest states-man to a Prince, Is like a Cedar, planted by a Spring. 1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes i. vi. 21 in II I must needes say, I lost an Officer of him, a good Bayliffe, And I shall want him; but all peace be with him. 1675 Earl of Essex 2 Mar. (1770) 90 He is so good a man, as I shall want him if he go. 1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 14 Nov. in (1774) I. 488 You should be alerte, adroit, vif; be wanted, talked of, impatiently expected, and unwillingly parted with in company. the mind > possession > non-possession > not have [verb (transitive)] > lack > do without > with negative a1530 T. Lupset (1535) sig. A.viiiv Ye riches & goodis of this world, as the necessarie instrumentes or toles for the bodye, the whiche can not want nor lacke suche thynges. 1562 W. Bullein Bk. Simples f. 28v, in The Fisher and Fouler must haue Hempe, to make their nettes. And no Archer can want his bowestring. ?1592 sig. G4 And sweete Perseda I will stay with you, From Brusor my beloued, and Ile want him, Till he bring backe Erastus vnto you. 1606 G. Chapman ii. sig. D3v Tabacco that excellent plant, the vse whereof (as of fift Element) the world cannot want. 1637 S. Rutherford Let. 10 Aug. in (1664) 340 Ye have a fair occasion to gratifie Christ now, if ye will..want the night's sleep with your suffering Saviour one hour. 1667 J. Milton v. 365 By descending from the Thrones above, Those happie places thou hast deignd a while To want, and honour these. View more context for this quotation 1706 G. Stanhope III. 568 Servants, who, in those Countries, where long and loose Garments were worn, could not, without great inconvenience, want a part of Cloathing so necessary for Expedition. 1772 W. Cowper 27 June (1979) I. 254 I had rather want many things, any thing indeed that this World could afford me, than Abuse the Affection of a Friend. 1814 J. Austen I. vi. 119 To want a horse and cart in the country seemed impossible. View more context for this quotation 1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor ii, in 3rd Ser. III. 17 A worthless old play-fellow of mine, whose company I would rather want than have. 1880 W. H. Patterson (at cited word) We can't want the pony the day. 1910 P. W. Joyce xiii. 346 I asked Dick to come back to us, for we couldn't want him. 1933 87 I ha'e worn this jaiket near twenty year an' I canna dae wantin't. 1996 C. I. Macafee 377/1 Want,..3. do without, lack; spare. the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [verb (transitive)] > stint 1573 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 2v I haue no labour wanted, to prune this tree I planted, whose fruit to none is scanted, in house nor yet in fyeld. †5. the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > be insufficient [verb (intransitive)] > be wanting > fall short of an amount 1472–3 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1472 1st Roll §59. m. 4 All such sommes of money, as shall want or lak of the forseid sommes. 1565 A. Golding tr. Caesar iii. f. 66 Perceyuyng the Legion to want of the full number, bycause two Cohorts were taken out of it. the world > time > particular time > [phrase] > it is not quite six 1652 C. Manuche iv. 34 Letes. 'Tis more then two of clock. Clarath. By none but Lovers clocks; I know it wants of two. 1678 T. D'Urfey iii. i. 26 At 6 a Clock, and now it wants of 5, well, I'le first go dispatch a small affair, and then have at him. 1710 D. Manley II. 132 The Prince was true to his Letter, it wanted of six, when in my Man's Apparel I got to the Grotto, but found Endymion in Possession of it. 6. the world > relative properties > quantity > approximate quantity or amount > approximate to (an amount) [verb (transitive)] the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > be similar [verb (intransitive)] > border upon, approach, or approximate a1500 (a1400) (Douce) l. 584 He wanted noȝte to be slayne Þe brede of ane hare. 1530 J. Palsgrave 771/1 It wanted but a lytell that I was nat taken. 1617 F. Moryson i. 217 We had now some two miles to Ierusalem, yet in the very Hauen, we wanted little of perishing. 1700 T. Brown et al. tr. P. Scarron Novels ii. 25 in tr. P. Scarron He..frankly own'd to him, that he wanted little of being wounded to the heart. 1862 J. S. Mill (ed. 5) II. v. ii. 395 Mr. Hubbard..whose well-conceived plan wants little of being as near an approximation to a just assessment as it is likely that means could be found of carrying into practical effect. the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [verb (transitive)] > fall short of > fall short by (so much) 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane viii. f. cv He wanted but one yeare of fifty [L. natus fuit annos quadraginta nouem]. 1631 W. Watts tr. St. Augustine vi. xiii. 328 The Maid wanted two yeeres of being marriageable. 1638 tr. F. Bacon 135 Eight Men, whose Age computed together, made up eight hundred yeares; In so much, that what some of them wanted of an hundred, others exceeded as much. 1653 in C. H. Firth (1899) III. 6 Lettres came from the Generalls that they wanted a dayes sayle from the Dutch fleete, but were in great hopes to overtake them. 1665 R. Hooke 201 If it chanced to want anything of being perfectly opposite. 1727 J. Swift Let. 29 Aug. in (1963) III. 234 I now want only three Months of Sixty. 1748 B. Robins & R. Walter i. i. 5 His squadron wanted three hundred seamen of their complement. 1749 H. Fielding IV. xi. v. 126 Of my Fortune, not one Farthing could be touched till I was at Age, of which I now wanted more than two Years. View more context for this quotation 1861 J. R. Young 182 Looking at the leading figure, write what it wants of 9, then what the next figure wants of 9, and so on. 1900 Earl of Dunraven I. ix. 226 The supplement of an angle is what it wants of 180°. the world > time > reckoning of time > reckon or measure time [verb (transitive)] > want specific number of minutes 1612 A. Hopton xxxvii. 138 Looke vpon any Sun-dyall, and see what of clocke it is by the shadow of the Moone..noting how much it wants or is past 12 of the clocke. 1633 T. James 11 It wanted yet an houre to low-water: and the tyde did want a foot and a halfe to ebbe. 1696 P. Ayres 89 He plucking out his Watch, saw it wanted not much of Ten a Clock. c1720 M. Prior 8 It wanted a fortnight to Bartlemew-fair. 1751 E. Moore iii. 42 We are before our Time, Beatrice; it wants a Quarter of Eight. 1776 Oct. 458/2 As it wanted two hours of high water, she soon floated again. 1830 G. P. R. James III. lxxix. 326 You vagabond, you said it was ten o'clock, and it wants twenty minutes. 1834 No. 22. 5 It still wanted a considerable time to school. 1848 C. Dickens lv. 551 ‘How goes the time? My watch is unwound.’ ‘Wants a few minutes of five o'clock, Sir.’ 1866 A. Trollope I. vi. 131 It only wants five minutes to dinner. 1905 R. Bagot iii. 25 Although it wanted yet twenty minutes to midnight the church was nearly full. 1926 F. M. FORD iv. 110 It wanted thirty-two minutes to the crucial moment. 1972 J. B. Keane 68 It wanted five minutes to twelve so we decided to play the last pot. 1996 C. I. Macafee (at cited word) It wants (a quarter, etc.) till or o (the hour), it is (a quarter, etc.) to (the hour). II. To need, require. In some later instances it is difficult to ascertain whether the sense of the verb want is ‘need’ or ‘wish, desire’: see note at branch III. 7. the mind > possession > non-possession > not have [verb (transitive)] > lack > something salutary (but not desired) 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 446 Deyr Cusyng, pray I the, Quhen thow wanttis gud cum fech ynewch fra me. 1530 J. Palsgrave 771/1 I wante monaye, argent me fault. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) iii. x. sig. Oo3v No more then the Sunne wants waxe to be the fewell of his glorious lightfulnesse. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 66 Oh welcome Oxford, for we want thy helpe. 1630 J. Winthrop Let. 29 Nov. in (1825) (modernized text) I. App. 379 Though we have not beef and mutton, &c. yet (God be praised) we want them not; our Indian corn answers for all. 1737 J. Wesley 18 Dec. (1827) I. 65 I was seized with a violent Flux, which I felt came not before I wanted it. 1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch I. 210 The soothsayers declared, that there were certain abominable crimes, which wanted expiation. 1792 13 Feb. 47 373/2 Throwing the Timber, fresh cut, into Salt Water, and letting it lie there till wanted. 1818 2 189 He wanted a good wapping and he had got it. 1827 M. Faraday xv. 363 A tube is wanted for the conveyance of fluids. 1836 C. Dickens 2nd Ser. 21 He must want his tea, poor man, after his dirty walk from the Docks. 1884 W. H. White (ed. 9) v. 74 He had got a notion in his head that his mind wanted rest and reinvigoration. 1932 ‘L. G. Gibbon’ iii. 192 Clyde and Bess stamping there, getting fell cornfilled and frolicsome, they more than wanted exercise. 1974 Aug. 90/2 As the body gets hotter, it wants more blood, faster, for its cooling processes. 2002 S. N. Rosenbaum vii. 187 His reign seems to have been at the end of the Conquest, suggesting a connection that wants investigation. 2006 D. Malouf (2007) 152 That boy wants a good hiding. 1753 3 Aug. Wanted, and no Money required, A lusty Youth, about fifteen Years of Age or upwards, for an Apprentice to a very profitable Trade. 1756 26 Oct. A young Man wanted for a Clerk in this Office. 1785 12 May Governess wanted. 1858 24 June 3/1 Wanted to purchase, a good camera..with a swing back. 1882 21 Jan. 47/1 Quotations wanted for the New English Dictionary of the Philological Society. 1910 Jan. 24/2 Wanted—volunteers.—We want in every city and town volunteer Brotherhood or Y. M. C. A. men to read out ‘Call to Action’. 1946 23 Dec. 1/7 Wanted, experienced Advertising Assistant. 1999 24 Feb. 20/3 Ultimate Frisbee Players Wanted! A new club is starting for all University of London students. 2005 19 Oct. 14/2 Help Wanted—Part-time stablehand required for horse farm. 8. transitive. With object or complement expressing an action. a. With the subject of want as implied object of the action: to need, be required (to undergo something). 1570 T. North tr. A. F. Doni i. f.18 A great summe of precious stones..wanted setting in Golde [It. le mancauano d'ornamenti]. 1587 in W. H. Stevenson (1889) IV. 216 We present the Bull Ringe to want raylinge. 1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán i. 47 By reason..that he wanted feeding, he caused this Calfe to be kill'd. 1680 J. Moxon I. xi. 195 The Hooks when they want sharpening cannot be ground as the Gouges and Chissels are. 1712 No. 292. ⁋1 A Diamond may want polishing, though the Value be still intrinsically the same. 1789 E. Butler Jrnl. 9 Oct. in E. M. Bell (1930) 232 Mountford Bridge terrific, wants repairing. 1865 ‘L. Carroll’ vii. 96 ‘Your hair wants cutting,’ said the Hatter. 1898 ‘H. S. Merriman’ xiv. 146 ‘That loose-shouldered chap Roden is a scoundrel,’ he said bluntly,..‘and wants thumping.’ 1914 ‘Bartimeus’ xxiii. 225 One of the securing chains wants tautening. 1984 A. Maupin (1989) xlv. 297 His toaster wants repairing, I'm afraid. It died on me several days ago. 2003 C. Birch xxiv. 282 I've only just got back. Everything wants washing. the world > space > place > absence > be absent from [verb (transitive)] > perceive the absence of the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > act habitually [verb (intransitive)] > be accustomed to do something the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > act habitually [verb (intransitive)] > become accustomed 1627 J. Rogers 181 It only wants to be done in thy conscience, which shall be sure ere long. 1697 J. Vanbrugh ii. 21 Madam. Inteed Matam, to say de trute, he want leetel good breeding. Lady F. Good breeding? He wants to be cain'd, Madamoiselle. 1719 D. Defoe 187 My Goats wanted to be milk'd. 1724 R. Fiddes Pref. p. cxix A train of accusations which, severally, want to be proved themselves. 1741 C. Middleton II. viii. 359 The merit of this speech is too well known, to want to be enlarged upon here. 1791 R. Mylne 13 The Banks of the [Lock] Chamber want to be laid down properly, and some Trees cut down. 1838 T. C. Haliburton 2nd Ser. xii. 110 It wants one thing to make it go ahead. And pray what is that? said I... It wants to be made a free port, said he. 1856 ‘Clergyman in West’ 32 The parochial system..wants to be loosed from shackles which bind it hand and foot. 1913 June 64 It [sc. a ribbon] wants to be placed around the sore arm so the boys at school won't be hurting it. 2010 J. Caldwell v. 80 Oh, no, dear, not on the carpet. It wants to be cleaned and I haven't done it. 1979 A. J. Aitken in A. J. Aitken & T. McArthur vi. 105 Need and want and some other verbs of related meaning have distinctively Scottish constructions—the car needs/wants washed. 1998 C. Rumens ii. 51 She wants cleaned. She's not been touched the year. 2008 R. T. Kelly 236 I just know Fanny Boyle's piano wants shifted. 2012 I. Welsh 189 He comes tae us wi news ay a hoose thit wants screwed. b. colloquial and regional. To need, require that (something be done). 1792 G. Wright Let. 24 Mar. in A. Fraser (1834) I. 55 Should you want any thing doing in Town whilst I stay..you can mention it in your next. 1868 E. B. Denison 172 Those who wanted a church consecrating, or a meeting to be held. 1880 5 May 52/2 A little man with a big head who wants his hair cutting. 1937 H. Jennings et al. ii. 383 The man with the glaucoma handed me a printer's bill and said ‘Here, I think this is yours. He says he wants it paying.’ 1984 P. Barker xi. 67 I've brought me shopping bag in case you want any doing. 2014 (Nexis) 7 Jan. We just want it fixing but can't find out who to ring. 1908 P. G. Wodehouse in 28 466/1 ‘That kid,’ said Spencer to his immortal soul, ‘wants his head smacked, badly.’ 1956 E. Newby xviii. 175 ‘Wants his head looked at’... I tried to reassure him, but he was still suspicious and went off mumbling ‘wants his head tested.’ 1993 I. Welsh (1994) 12 She wants her fuckin heid examined. 2006 (Nexis) 10 June (Sports section) 4 If we don't get through the group the players will want their arses kicked. 1860 J. G. Holland xix. 350 You want to halter-break 'em when they're little and get 'em kind o' wonted to the feel of the harness. 1888 6 Oct. 1/4 You don't want to fool with those Quakers any, and don't you forget it. 1897 G. Gissing ii. x. 262 ‘I can't come—now. I have a dreadful headache.’ ‘You only want to be quiet. Come along.’ 1937 7 Sept. 13/5 The entrance wants to be no larger than to permit the grey squirrel to get in. 1943 K. Tennant xviii. 203 You're not getting any younger yourself, kid. You want to watch it. 1986 I. Wedde (1988) 201 You don't want to believe everything you hear, Doctor. 2001 I. Sinclair (2002) iii. ii. 320 They want to be careful, your friends. No bugger's safe these days. III. To wish, desire, and related senses. This branch contains the most common current senses of the verb want, but the development in meaning from ‘lack’ or ‘need’ to ‘wish, desire’ occurs relatively late in the word's history. Unambiguous examples with the sense ‘wish, desire’ are difficult to find before the 18th cent. Ambiguity chiefly arises between this branch and branch II. (cf. senses 7a, 7b, and 8b(a)); but cf. also sense 1b(a). 9. a. the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)] > a person or his presence 1621 tr. L. de Vega i. 23 When I wanted [Sp. faltaua a] Mireno, or Mireno wanted me, we did seeke one the other at his house. 1673 H. N. Payne v. 67 Nurse. Pedro, rise quickly, my Lady Caelia wants you. Ped. What can she want me for at such a time? c1760 R. Challoner in E. H. Burton (1909) II. xxiv. 28 We will spend our evenings, as much as possible, at our own lodgings, so that we may be found by those who shall want us for the sick. 1794 A. Radcliffe II. xii. 468 ‘Retire!’ said Barnardine, sternly; ‘you are not wanted;’ and, as Emily said nothing, Annette obeyed. 1825 T. Hook 2nd Ser. III. 60 When from a side and smaller door a female enquired ‘whom he pleased to want’. 1867 A. Trollope I. v 56 She is not likely to press herself where she is not wanted. 1921 1 May 35/2 Son (goes to door): Say, the boss wants you. Voice from factory: Yes, sir; coming, sir. 1966 A. E. Lindop xviii. 222 I can take a hint as well as the next person—and I know when I'm not wanted. 1989 B. Roche Handful of Stars i. ii, in K. Harwood 212 Tell Conway I'm wantin' him will yeh? 1996 J. Higgins ix. 181 He paused and came to the counter. ‘Yes, sir?’ ‘Mr. Cassidy. Tell him he's wanted.’ 1864 H. N. Goodrich viii. 78 As they entered the sale-shop, Puck, who happened to be present, and knew the officers well, called out—‘Wanted, sir!’ 1872 June 301 The chemist heaved a deep sigh; but as he was about to speak the errand-boy opened the shop door and shouted, ‘Wanted, sir!’ 1884 W. T. Greene I. 45 A Parrot of this species belonging to a chemist in Bermondsey, where it is kept in the shop, calls out ‘Wanted’, as soon as a customer comes in. 1924 J. M. Whitham i. xviii. 116 The shop-bell rang; Appleina Huxtable skipped noiselessly to the scullery, and called out: ‘Wanted, Missus.’ c1660 S. Rutherford 9 She will not let him go to School.., and why? Because she dow not want him out of her Sight. 1728 P. Walker (ed. 3) 81 There comes the Devil's Rattle-bag, we do not want him here. 1817 J. Carson 40 The people..wanted him out of that place. 1908 Jan. That is my best skirt..and I want it near the top [of the trunk], where it will not be so likely to crush. 1991 G. MacBeth xviii. 148 She didn't want me there, wherever it was. 2008 T. Reid & T. Dreesen xiii. 250 Mr Sinatra gave me a hundred dollars to tell you he wants you in the lounge. 1703 tr. L. de Lahontan I. xvi. 130 Two Men approach'd to our little Camp, and call'd in Illinese, that they wanted an Interview. 1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch III. 208 Pausanias wanted a truce, that he might article for the dead. 1792 II. i. 30 Why, you powder-monkey..what do you want? 1857 Sept. 77 Come, children, don't you want some fun? 1871 J. B. Mozley in H. P. Liddon et al. (1897) IV. 221 What you mention about persons actually not wanting an hereafter is a horrible feature of the day. 1907 E. von Arnim xxxv. 130 I do love Papa. He..lets me do what I want. 1952 R. Ellison xii. 197 I wanted peace and quiet, tranquillity, but was too much aboil inside. 1963 B. Pearson i. 14 Do you want a drink—or would you rather have a bit of a snifter with the boys? 2013 L. Miller vii. 208 Hey, this is really tasty. Want some? a1749 A. Robertson (?1752) 98 Dear sweet Mr. Wright..Go rodger to-night Your Wife, for ye want her. 1898 ‘Zack’ 54 I wanted her badly, an' ther was a..line atween us that I couldn't cross. 1928 D. H. Lawrence x. 157 ‘Not now,’ she cried, trying to push him away. ‘Why not?..Nay! Nay! I want you.’ He held her fast and she felt his urgency. 1984 W. A. Myers 97 When he finally did kiss me that time, I wanted him so badly that I guess I didn't know what to do. 2009 (Nexis) 20 Feb. (Entertainment section) 8 This vulnerability..made her an indie-rock cult hero—the girls wanted to be her and the..boys just wanted her. 10. transitive. With infinitive as object. the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)] 1698 tr. 94 I wanted to [Fr demandai à] go into it; but they told me that it was the Tabernacle of their God, and that it was permitted to none but their High Priest to go into it. 1707 E. Ward 2 All such as want to ride in Post-haste from one World to the other. 1751 G. Lavington 163 Thieves and Cheats mingle the Flower or Seed among the Food of those, whom they want to defraud. 1841 C. Dickens i. xxxiii. 279 If every one of your clients is to force us to keep a clerk, whether we want to or not, you had better leave off business. 1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ iv. 60 He is so gentle and polite, and seems to want to be friends with my father. 1895 73 650/1 If the underwriters had wanted to know they could have asked at once. 1902 J. F. Rusling 299 Blücher wanted to hang or shoot Napoleon as an outlaw and monster. 1941 C. Graves iii. 46 At the moment all I want to do is to sleep, sleep, sleep. 1965 E. Mannin i. i. 13 He had never wanted to come to Cairo. 1997 Mar. 24/2 Ask yourself how you really want to be remembered. 2015 K. Cole vi. 31 ‘Do you want to go tonight?’ I asked Matthew. 1764 T. Southwell tr. I. 45 The liver is not formed..till the blood wants to throw off its grosser parts. 1869 Sept. 288/2 [After] a few hours observation [on a rainy day]... you can see where the water wants to go. 1886 11 673 When the wind strikes the vane, it naturally wants to retire on its pivots. 1910 11 June 25/2 The wool fibre... wants to resume its natural condition as far as the construction of the cloth will allow. 1980 Jan. 67 The hardest thing is when you're braking, because the engine wants to slow down faster than the wheels. 2007 (Nexis) 4 Apr. E3 A forming hammer... has a memory that makes it want to reassume the shape you are trying to make it give up. 1831 3 83 You can easily get another for yourself, if you want. 1888 R. L. Stevenson in Feb. 271/2 You might golf if you wanted. 1978 C. Heath 192 The local maternity hospital is ever so go-ahead and lets the father come in too if he wants. 1988 3 June (Eastern ed.) What a thought! To be so rich that you could do whatever you want. Whenever you want. 2007 D. Diamond 246 There is work for him if he wants—he could make a lot of money. the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > wishing > wish [verb (transitive)] 1931 7 20 Want... More rarely used with past participles, as ‘the dog wants freed.’ 1993 A. L. Kennedy 96 I'd get out of the way, Mr. Lawrence, You don't want burned, do you? 1997 A. Warner 18 ‘Aye-aye. Wanting dropped anywhere?’ The driver looked at me. 2003 (Electronic ed.) 17 Aug. I am a professional , and only want paid if we are successful. 11. the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)] > a person to do something 1711 E. Ward II. xxviii. 103 I want thee to inspect my Jaws; I fear my Pegs of Mastication Have suffer'd total Devastation. 1768 A. Tucker I. 509 If I have a bowl in my hand and want it to touch the jack at the other end of the green, the shortest way would be to carry it thither. 1845 S. Judd i. ix. 57 I want you to be a good boy. 1884 30 July 5/2 We do not want the Post Office to ‘undercut’ private agencies at the expense of the national taxpayer. 1918 21 June 343/1 Most of them do not make it quite plain what they want the teacher to do. 1973 V. Teresa & T. C. Renner xvi. 172 He wanted the war to end. 2014 22 Feb. (South/West ed.) 45/1 McConaughey's fellow lawyer..wants him to drop the case but he refuses. the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [verb (transitive)] > a person to do something 1742 R. Erskine Let. 19 Jan. in (1821) I. p. xxiv If you want, I should explain any thing here written further, you may let me know by another line. 1746 D. Brainerd 20 I asked them [sc. American Indians] what they wanted God to do further for them? They replied, They wanted Christ should wipe their Hearts quite clean, &c. 1833 J. Neal I. vi. 80 I want you should give me a letter o' recommend to Pheladelphy. 1853 H. C. Kimball in Suppl. 2/2 If this is your determination, I want you should manifest it by raising your right hands. 1903 C. L. Burnham ii. 18 Mr. Evringham wants you should saddle his horse and bring her around. 1949 30 Sept. 6/6 Pinochle is your passion and I don't want it should take my place in your life. 1969 B. Rubens vii. 68 I thought perhaps you didn't want I should speak. 1973 W. S. Burroughs 3 ‘You vant I should spit right in your face!? You vant!? You vant? You vant!?’ The vaudeville brother would retreat shadowboxing presences invisible to my goyish eyes. 2012 J. Tomsky i. 9 Wait up. You want I should drive the car back to my driveway in the Ninth Ward to wash it? 1752 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 13 Apr. in (1774) II. 236 I want: that..all the world should like you, as well as I love you. 1818 E. A. Kendall (ed. 3) 300 I only wanted that you should not give a constitution of Appeal for Murder to the Colonies. 1897 E. Higginson 239 I want that you should hold this candle while I fry the apple-fritters. 1920 May 583 If the people do not want that such selection should be his privilege and power they have only to say it at the polls. 1952 E. Caldwell 149 I want that you should get those potatoes and apples sorted today. 2013 17 Nov. We only want that you utilize your position in helping stabilize Pakistan. 1766 15 May It is not improbable but Prince Heraclius wants it [sc. the city] restored to himself. 1772 J. H. Wynne II. iv. 106 All these [parties]... desired a peace... Charles wanted the matter settled. 1858 (Wisconsin Legislature) 186 They wanted the road built by the Wisconsin and Superior company as then existing. 1866 ii. 756 Did I understand you to say..that Lucinda Wilcox wanted him killed? 1913 26 Feb. 16/2 Clark Griffith wants the lid lifted on sideline comedy in baseball. 1959 22 Aug. (Weekend section) 10 a/5 A plaintiff's window was broken by a baseball and he wants it replaced. 1993 A. L. Kennedy 79 Graham slapped his mug on to the counter. ‘Were you wanting that filled.’ 2011 19 May a1 Most people on the right..wanted him arrested. 12. the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > make a search [verb (intransitive)] > be sought by police, etc. 1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in II. 223 Wanted, when any of the traps or runners have a private information against a family person [i.e. a thief] and are using means to apprehend the party, they say, such a one is wanted. 1838 C. Dickens III. xlii. 120 ‘Yes, he was wanted.’ ‘Very particular?’ inquired Mr. Bolter. ‘No,’ replied the Jew, ‘not very. He was charged with attempting to pick a pocket,’ [etc.]. 1905 5 Sept. 5/5 The prisoner..said he wished to give himself up, having heard that he was ‘wanted’. 1913 F. E. Channon viii. 79 He pulled a crumpled, printed handbill from his pocket and read: ‘WANTED, dead or alive, man going by name of Hermann Deverish.’ 1940 T. Williams (typescript) ii. iii. 42 Val. I'm wanted, Myra. Myra. Wanted. You're wanted? What are you wanted for, Val? Val. For rape. 1980 Oct. 1188/2 (caption) A kidnap suspect wanted in three states is taken into custody. 1999 18 Oct. (Big Issue Suppl.) 2/1 (caption) Wanted for robberies and carjackings mainly in Nairobi. 1828 3 Sept. The prisoner..stands indicted as an accomplice in the said murder, and wanted by the police of Bantry. 1875 30 July 3/6 Charles Firth..was ‘wanted’ by the authorities..on a charge of having committed forgery. 1960 17 June 26/4 Of 300 hitchhikers on one highway, 84 either were wanted by the cops or had police records. 1988 D. Tkac iv. 147/1 (heading) Your..supervisor..is probably wanted by the FBI. 2016 30 Jan. He entered the UAE using his brother's papers because he is wanted by the police. the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > desire for specific things > [verb (intransitive)] > desire to go 1836 J. D. Davidson Diary 29 Oct. in (1935) I. 354 He still called out in a plaintive, infant tone, ‘I want in’—‘I want in’. 1845 June 259 Jeanie Thomson's jaggit me with a pin, and I want home to my mother. 1855 16 He was suffering acutely, and his impatience to depart had become very great. ‘I want away,’ he said; and again he repeated the words, ‘I want away.’ 1885 G. Gow viii. 61 It was the way boys did when they wanted across seas. 1893 19 Sept. An old gentleman who was drawn to serve on the grand jury..wanted off. 1897 S. R. Crockett xxiii. 236 It was cold and he wanted back to the inn fire-side. 1903 Dec. 219/1 I tole the conductor I wanted off right away at the corner already. 1945 28 Dec. 12/1 Frank Filchock..wants away from the Redskins and this year it could happen. 1974 Nov. 106/2 I want down. What the hell do I want to learn to fly for anyway? 1979 4 Aug. (Entertainer section) 4/3 There are the two good ole boys from Atlanta who want in on the bust out. 2000 J. J. Connolly (2004) 222 We did do a bit of junior time together but I always wanted away. Phrasesa1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 1249 Gretly y þonk god þat..dede þe wante þi wille for þou wrong þoutest. a1425 (c1333–52) L. Minot (1914) 24 (MED) Sir Philip wanted all his will, Þat was wele on his sembland sene. 1567 W. Painter II. f. 193 Away my soule, go from the griefs, that thee oppresseth still, And let thy dolor witnesse beare, how much I want my will. 1594 J. Dickenson sig. E4 He carried him to his Palace, a most pleasant coole edifice. There Hyalus rested long, not wanting his will in any wish. 1653 N. Hookes 69 At what e're game she playes, may she command The surest winning card, And never may she want her will. 1662 A. Cokayne Trag. Ovid iv. i. 79 in I must Out-glitter all the Femals of the Province, Or I shall want my will. 1753 A. Nicol Bundle of Flowers 30 in Man can never want his will, whose wit Doth always to God's holy will submit. 1771 O. Goldsmith II. xxiii. 361 Rather than he will miss, or want any part of his will, he will endanger one half of his kingdom. 1824 C. R. Maturin I. iii. 67 The young knight would rather have pledged his new-won spurs than wanted his will. 1705 S. Centlivre iii. 40 What can she want with a Porter!—I am resolv'd to watch. 1746 tr. Plautus in (ed. 2) I. at Paint Sc. What do you want with the paint? Ph. To paint my cheeks. 1796 T. Holcroft ii. iii. 116/2 What should I want with more? 1828 W. Taylor tr. J. L. W. Gleim in I. 309 Death, what can you want of Fanny? With your lipless teeth and sockets, How should you contrive to kiss her? 1855 45 136 Salt, Miss? What do you want of salt? 1862 Mrs. H. Wood II. iv. 59 It is an incredible mystery. What could he want with the money? The tale told, about his having debts, has no foundation. 1868 R. Browning II. vi. 165 Men, for the last time, what do you want with me? 1914 G. Atherton ii. 246 But what does he want of two cottages? 1970 G. Scott-Heron 44 What the hell would he want with me? He could possibly want some wine money, but he knew better than to bother me about something like that. 1989 M. Z. Bradley v. 67 What did he want with you, Mother? Is that man sniffing round to get you to marry him? 1995 K. O'Riordan 80 ‘What do you want with a microwave?’ she asked incredulously. 1778 Mar. 212 The kitchen..[has] this significant motto over the chimney, Waste not, want not. 1856 27 Dec. 4/5 Waste not, want not, is a maxim which ought to be inculcated and practised in every household. 1937 (Federal Writers' Project) ii. 210 Social intercourse was maintained without severely taxing the purse, as ‘waste not, want not’ was a maxim practically enforced. 2003 Feb. 136/2 I grew up in Bathgate during the years of rationing and shortages so it was very much a case of ‘waste not want not’. 1807 Aug. 70/2 ‘Come, brother, landlord,’ said he, ‘now you are ripe, now I have got you where I wanted you.’ 1847 J. J. Oswandel (1885) vi. 348 There is not much danger of their troubling us much more, as we have them just where we want them. 1895 S. Crane xiv. 144 They all seem t' think we've got 'em jest where we want 'em. 1911 W. McCay Little Nemo in Slumberland 16 July in (2000) 309/3 You wall-eyed galoot! Now I've got you where I want you! 1939 A. Thirkell iii. 76 You only want to get her where you want her. Most people are like that. 1972 J. Johnston 134 You see, me bucko, we have you where we want you. There was Sean Brady watching every move you made and you never knew. 2002 Aug. 132 I've got young Cael Sanderson right where I want him: in front of me, at a table in the media work area, dog tired. P5. Cf. sense 13. 1836 J. D. Davidson Diary 29 Oct. in (1935) I. 354 He still called out in a plaintive, infant tone, ‘I want in’—‘I want in’. 1844 W. Jamie 86 A sturdy chap..Cam to the door and wanted in. 1888 6 Dec. 798 Just then he heard a knock at the door, and told me that some one wanted in. 1972 26 Feb. The cat began to scratch the door, ‘It wants in, John,’ my mother told my father. 1988 24 May 9/2 Since the cow-calf business has done very well for a while, more people want in. 1997 M. Collin & J. Godfrey iii. 89 Acid house was such a seductive leisure concept that everyone wanted in. the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > desire for specific things > [verb (intransitive)] > desire to go 1838 I. ii. 394 ‘What does he want now?’ ‘He wants out my lord.’ ‘Then keep him in—I say, keep him in!’ 1870 J. Nicholson 10 Jenny, are ye wantin' oot 'Mang the knowes to frisk aboot? 1887 3 Sept. The turnkey says if the prisoner had informed him he wanted out, he would have been released. 1952 J. Frame in D. M. Davin (1953) 204 Sheep..either stand still and do nothing or else go round and round getting nowhere, when they're in they want out and when they're out they sneak in. 1959 E. Ambler viii. 219 They can keep everything... We just want out. 1973 28 Sept. 173/2 Britain may just be weary of industrial growth and may be saying in quite a sophisticated way that it wants out regardless of the cost. 1984 B. MacLaverty (new ed.) 123 Cal loved these moments, holding the car door half open pretending he wanted out, listening to her. 2005 J. Martyn ii. i. 98 That fancy piece he's married to wants out, hates Ireland they tell me. Compounds the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > evil and graceless > [noun] > person society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > [noun] > reprobacy > person 1603 J. Davies 141 And, rather then they should not die by force, Or want a Want-grace to performe the Deede, Their Vncle and Protector must perforce Their Crowne from Head, and Head from Life divorce. 1621 R. Brathwait 31 Thus may adulterous want-graces looke into Tereus fall. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2016; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  n.1eOE adj.n.2c1175 v.c1175 |