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