Desire \De*sire"\, n. [F. d['e]sir, fr. d['e]sirer. See Desire, v. t.]

1. The natural longing that is excited by the enjoyment or the thought of any good, and impels to action or effort its continuance or possession; an eager wish to obtain or enjoy.

Unspeakable desire to see and know. --Milton.

2. An expressed wish; a request; petition.

And slowly was my mother brought To yield consent to my desire. --Tennyson.

3. Anything which is desired; an object of longing.

The Desire of all nations shall come. --Hag. ii. 7.

4. Excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite.

5. Grief; regret. [Obs.]

--Chapman.

Syn: Wish; appetency; craving; inclination; eagerness; aspiration; longing.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Desire \De*sire"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Desired; p. pr. & vb. n. Desiring.]

[F. d['e]sirer, L. desiderare, origin uncertain, perh. fr. de- + sidus star, constellation, and hence orig., to turn the eyes from the stars. Cf. Consider, and Desiderate, and see Sidereal.]

1. To long for; to wish for earnestly; to covet.

Neither shall any man desire thy land. --Ex. xxxiv. 24.

Ye desire your child to live. --Tennyson.

2. To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.

Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? --2 Kings iv. 28.

Desire him to go in; trouble him no more. --Shak.

3. To require; to demand; to claim. [Obs.]

A doleful case desires a doleful song. --Spenser.

4. To miss; to regret. [Obs.]

She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies. --Jer. Taylor.

Syn: To long for; hanker after; covet; wish; ask; request; solicit; entreat; beg.

Usage: To Desire, Wish. In desire the feeling is usually more eager than in wish. ``I wish you to do this'' is a milder form of command than ``I desire you to do this,'' though the feeling prompting the injunction may be the same. --C. J. Smith.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)