desire

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈzʌɪə/

noun

  • a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen: he resisted public desires for choice in education
  • [mass noun] strong sexual feeling or appetite: they were clinging together in fierce desire
  • something desired.

verb

[with object]
  • strongly wish for or want (something): he never achieved the status he so desired (as adjective desired) the bribe had its desired effect
  • want (someone) sexually: there had been a time, years ago, when he had desired her
  • archaic express a wish to: John spake unto him, and desired him in like manner and contestation as before

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French desir (noun), desirer (verb), from Latin desiderare (see desiderate)