Middle English Dictionary Entry

dē̆sīren v.
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Entry Info

Forms dē̆sīren v. Also desiri (early), deziren, dessiren & dis(s)iren.
Etymology OF desirer

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1a.
To wish or want (sth., sb.), wish or long for; also, wish to have; -- (a) with obj.; (b) with obj. clause.
Show 36 Quotations
1b.
To wish or want (to do, have, or be sth.); be inclined or like (to do sth.).
Show 19 Quotations
1c.
(a) To have a desire, yearn; (b) ~ after, ~ to, to wish or long for (sth.); (c) as wol ~, as you wish.
Show 10 Quotations
2.
(a) To have sexual desire or passion for (sb.), lust for; ~ lust, crave for sexual pleasure; (b) to crave or desire (sth.); ~ after, crave for (riches).
Show 12 Quotations
3.
To manifest or express a desire for (sth. or sb.); beg or ask for (sth.); ~ to order, ask to be admitted to a religious order; beg or request (sb. to do sth.).
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4.
To strive or seek after (sth.); seek (sb.) out; desired entent, purpos, a purpose desired or pursued.
Show 7 Quotations
5.
Misc. uses: (a) to have a tendency or inclination; (b) to demand or require (sth.); (c) ppl. desiring, desirous (of having sth.), eager; desiredest, deserving of the highest affection.
Show 6 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)25/139a : Capessi: desyre.
    • Note: Postdates sense
    Note: Probably belongs to sense 1c.(a). (L capesso, capessere, capessivi, capessitus = To grasp, take, seize eagerly, etc.)--per MLL

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • c1475(c1450) ?Scrope Mirror World (Bod 283) 8366 : Iustice is the louff of the herte be the whiche hee desyreth [F ahert] withowte moore to that the whiche he louffeth, that is, Godde.
Note: Ed.: "desyreth..translates ahert 'devotes (himself) to.' AND aerdre v. Not recorded by MED in this precise sense."
Note: ?New sense.

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