- Appetite
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
2. Desire for, or relish of, food or drink; hunger. [1913 Webster]
Men must have appetite before they will eat. --Buckle. [1913 Webster]
3. Any strong desire; an eagerness or longing. [1913 Webster]
It God had given to eagles an appetite to swim. --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
To gratify the vulgar appetite for the marvelous. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
4. Tendency; appetency. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
In all bodies there as an appetite of union. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]
5. The thing desired. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Power being the natural appetite of princes. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Craving; longing; desire; appetency; passion. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.