Thirst

Thirst (thẽrst), n. [OE. thirst, þurst, AS. þurst, þyrst; akin to D. dorst, OS. thurst, G. durst, Icel. þorsti, Sw. & Dan. törst, Goth. þaúrstei thirst, þaúrsus dry, withered, þaúrsieþ mik I thirst, gaþaírsan to wither, L. torrere to parch, Gr. τέρσεσθαι to become dry, τεσαίνειν to dry up, Skr. tṛsh to thirst. √54. Cf. Torrid.] 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.

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, v. t. To have a thirst for. [R.]

He seeks his keeper's flesh, and thirsts his blood. Prior.