thirst

plural thirsts

1. countableuncountableA sensation of dryness in the throat associated with a craving for liquids, produced by deprivation of drink, or by some other cause (such as fear, excitement, etc.) which stops the secretion of the pharyngeal mucous membrane.

   We developed a great thirst during our hike.

   1 more example

   He had quite a thirst on and so headed to his favourite Dublin pub.

2. countableuncountableThe condition producing the sensation of thirst.

   If you go out in the desert for long without water, the thirst can drive you mad.

   1 more example

   "We haven't one chance for life in a hundred thousand if we don't find food and water upon Caprona. This water coming out of the cliff is not salt; but neither is it fit to drink, though each of us has drunk. It is fair to assume that inland the river is fed by pure streams, that there are fruits and herbs and game. Shall we lie out here and die of thirst and starvation with a land of plenty possibly only a few hundred yards away? We have the means for navigating a subterranean river. Are we too cowardly to utilize this means?"

   1918 September–November, Edgar Rice Burroughs, “The Land That Time Forgot”, in The Blue Book Magazine, Chicago, Ill.: Story-press Corp., →OCLC; republished as chapter IV, in Hugo Gernsback, editor, Amazing Stories, (please specify |part=I to III), New York, N.Y.: Experimenter Publishing, 1927, →OCLC

3. countablefigurativelyuncountableA want and eager desire (for something); a craving or longing.

   She had a real thirst for news and that greatly helped her career.

4. countablefigurativelyuncountableSexual lust.

   He had a thirst for her and she had the same for him.

present singular third person thirsts · participle present thirsting · participle past thirsted · past thirsted

1. intransitiveTo be thirsty.

   The people thirsted there for water.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 17:3

2. intransitiveusuallyTo desire vehemently.

   to be thirsted for one's blood

   3 more examples

   I thirst for knowledge and education will sate me.

   My soul thirsteth for […] the living God.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 42:2

   Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 5:6