Appetite \Ap"pe*tite\, n. [OE. appetit, F. app['e]tit, fr. L. appetitus, fr. appetere to strive after, long for; ad + petere to seek. See Petition, and cf. Appetence.]

1. The desire for some personal gratification, either of the body or of the mind.

The object of appetite it whatsoever sensible good may be wished for; the object of will is that good which reason does lead us to seek. --Hooker.

2. Desire for, or relish of, food or drink; hunger.

Men must have appetite before they will eat. --Buckle.

3. Any strong desire; an eagerness or longing.

It God had given to eagles an appetite to swim. --Jer. Taylor.

To gratify the vulgar appetite for the marvelous. --Macaulay.

4. Tendency; appetency. [Obs.]

In all bodies there as an appetite of union. --Bacon.

5. The thing desired. [Obs.]

Power being the natural appetite of princes. --Swift.

Note: In old authors, appetite is followed by to or of, but regularly it should be followed by for before the object; as, an appetite for pleasure.

Syn: Craving; longing; desire; appetency; passion.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)