browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
want |
5 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Want \Want\ (277), n. [Originally an adj., from Icel. vant, neuter of vanr lacking, deficient. [root]139. See {Wane}, v. i.] 1. The state of not having the condition of being without anything absence or scarcity of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack; as a want of power or knowledge for any purpose; want of food and clothing. And me his parent, would full soon devour For want of other prey. --Milton. From having wishes in consequence of our wants we often feel wants in consequence of our wishes. --Rambler. Pride is as loud a beggar as want and more saucy. --Franklin. 2. Specifically, absence or lack of necessaries; destitution; poverty; penury; indigence; need Nothing is so hard for those who abound in riches, as to conceive how others can be in want --Swift. 3. That which is needed or desired; a thing of which the loss is felt; what is not possessed, and is necessary for use or pleasure. Habitual superfluities become actual wants --Paley. 4. (Mining) A depression in coal strata, hollowed out before the subsequent deposition took place [Eng.] Syn: Indigence; deficiency; defect; destitution; lack; failure; dearth; scarceness. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Want \Want\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Wanted}; p. pr & vb n. {Wanting}.] 1. To be without to be destitute of or deficient in not to have to lack; as to want knowledge; to want judgment; to want learning; to want food and clothing. They that want honesty, want anything --Beau. & Fl Nor think, though men were none, That heaven would want spectators, God want praise. --Milton. The unhappy never want enemies. --Richardson. 2. To have occasion for as useful, proper, or requisite; to require; to need as in winter we want a fire; in summer we want cooling breezes. 3. To feel need of to wish or long for to desire; to crave. `` What wants my son?'' --Addison. I want to speak to you about something --A. Trollope From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Wa'n't \Wa'n't\ A colloquial contraction of was not From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Want \Want\, v. i. [Icel. vanta to be wanting. See {Want} to lack.] 1. To be absent; to be deficient or lacking; to fail not to be sufficient; to fall or come short; to lack; -- often used impersonally with of as it wants ten minutes of four The disposition, the manners, and the thoughts are all before it where any of those are wanting or imperfect, so much wants or is imperfect in the imitation of human life. --Dryden. 2. To be in a state of destitution; to be needy; to lack. You have a gift, sir (thank your education), Will never let you want --B. Jonson For as in bodies, thus in souls, we find What wants in blood and spirits, swelled with wind. --Pope. Note: Want was formerly used impersonally with an indirect object. ``Him wanted audience.'' --Chaucer. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: want n 1: a state of extreme poverty [syn: {privation}, {deprivation}] 2: the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable; "there is a serious lack of insight into the problem"; "water is the critical deficiency in desert regions"; "for want of a nail the shoe was lost" [syn: {lack}, {deficiency}] 3: anything that is necessary but lacking; "he had sufficient means to meet his simple needs"; "I tried to supply his wants" [syn: {need}] 4: a specific feeling of desire; "he got his wish"; "he was above all wishing and desire" [syn: {wish}, {wishing}] v 1: feel or have a desire for want strongly; "I want to go home now "I want my own room" [syn: {desire}] 2: have need of: "This piano wants the attention of a competent tuner" [syn: {need}, {require}] 3: wish or demand the presence of "I want you here at noon!" 4: hunt or look for want for a particular reason: "Your former neighbor is wanted by the FBI"; "Uncle Sam wants you" 5: be without lack; be deficient in "want courtesy"; "want the strength to go on living"; "flood victims wanting food and shelter" [syn: {lack}]
more about want
This work is licensed under a
