thirst

[ thurst ]
/ θɜrst /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR thirst ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat caused by need of liquid.
the physical condition resulting from this need, in any of various degrees: They almost died of thirst.
strong or eager desire; craving: a thirst for knowledge.

verb (used without object)

to feel thirst; be thirsty.
to have a strong desire.

Origin of thirst

before 900; Middle English thirsten (v.), Old English thyrstan, derivative of thurst (noun); cognate with Dutch dorst, German Durst, Old Norse thorsti, Gothic thaurstei; noun has -i- from the v. or from thirsty; see toast1

OTHER WORDS FROM thirst

thirst·er, noun un·thirst·ing, adjective

Words nearby thirst

thirdhand, thirdstream, thirl, thirlage, thirlmere, thirst, thirst trap, thirsty, thirteen, thirteen colonies, thirteen-lined ground squirrel

Words related to thirst

desire, longing, eagerness, hankering, hunger, lust, yearning, passion, appetite, yen, keenness, drought, dryness, aridity

Example sentences from the Web for thirst

British Dictionary definitions for thirst

thirst
/ (θɜːst) /

noun

a craving to drink, accompanied by a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat
an eager longing, craving, or yearning a thirst for knowledge

verb

(intr) to feel a thirst to thirst for a drink; to thirst after righteousness

Word Origin for thirst

Old English thyrstan, from thurst thirst; related to Old Norse thyrsta to thirst, Old High German dursten to thirst, Latin torrēre to parch

Medical definitions for thirst

thirst
[ thûrst ]

n.

A sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat related to a need or desire to drink.
The desire or need to drink.

v.

To feel a need to drink.