desire English · revision 4228

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=la sidus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /dɪˈzaɪə/, US /dɪˈzaɪ.ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The verb is [[inh|enm|desiren]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) [[bor|fro|desirer|t=to wish, desire, long for]], desirrer, 12th century,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|dēsīderāre|t=to long for, wish for; to miss; to demand, expect]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) the original sense perhaps being “to await what the stars will bring”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from the phrase dē sīdere “from the stars”, from [[m|la|sīdus|t=heavenly body, star, constellation]] (genitive sīderis).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) The noun is from Old French desir, from the verb.^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[desiderate]], [[sidereal]] and [[consider]].^(Hoad 1986)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The verb, “to wish or long for”: probably about 1200 in Barnhart and Etymonline,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) about 1230 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The noun, a craving or yearning: probably before 1300 in Arthour and Merlin,^(Barnhart 1988) about 1300 in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and 1303 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun meant also sensual appetite, lust, from about 1300,^(Etymonline) about 1340 in the OED;^(OED 1989) a request or petition, a wish stated in words, from about 1340;^(OED 1989) and “that which is longed for” from the mid-14th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Trench notes that to desire once also meant to look back with regret on something lost but still loved, as in the Authorized Version's “departed without being desired” (2 Chronicles 21:20); it now only looks forward.^(Trench 1859)^(OED 1989) ''Desirous'' is from before 1300,^(Barnhart 1988) and ''desirable'' from before 1382, in the Wycliffe Bible.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – verb, to long for.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * a. 1300 – noun, a longing, and ''desirous''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1340 – lust; a request.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-14th century – the thing desired.^(Etymonline)

+ * a. 1382 – ''desirable''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1611 – regret for something lost.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To wish or long for; to [[want]] strongly.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To express a wish for; to [[request]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To feel sexual desire for.^(MW Collegiate)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A strong wish or [[longing]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A request or petition.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The object of longing: ''my heart's desire''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Sexual appetite; [[passion]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[desirer]]

+ * [[desiredness]]

+ * [[desireless]]

+ * [[desiringly]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[desideratum]]

+ * [[desirable]]

+ * [[desirability]]

+ * [[sidereal]]

+ * [[desirous]]

+ * [[desiderate]]

+ * [[consider]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage groups desire with covet, crave, want and wish as verbs meaning “to have a strong longing for”.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}