Thirst (th&etilde_;rst), 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. tersesqai to become dry, tesainein 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.
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Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, and our children . . . with thirst? Ex. xvii. 3.
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With thirst, with cold, with hunger so confounded. Chaucer.
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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.
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Thirst, v. t. To have a thirst for. [R.]
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He seeks his keeper's flesh, and thirsts his blood. Prior.
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