(a) To suffer from thirst; also fig. and in fig. contexts; ~ after (of, to), thirst for (sth.); ppl. thirstinge, thirsty; also, parched [quot. a1382, last]; also, as noun: a thirsting person [quot. a1382 Is.29.8]; parched ground [quot. a1382 Is.44.3]; (b) impers. him (hire, me, etc.) thirsteth, he (she) thirsts, I thirst, etc.; also in fig. contexts; (c) to be thirsty for (sth.);—used fig. [sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense 2.(b) and vice versa]; ~ rein (water); ~ blod, desire (someone's) death; also, long for Christ's blood as present in the Eucharist [quot. c1450].

(a) To desire; also, with inf.: desire (to do sth., etc.); ~ after (for, in, to, unto, with), long for (sb. or sth.);—also impers. [quot. c1440]; ppl. thirstinge as adj.: ardent; ben thirstinge to kinges to speken fre, be desirous for kings to speak freely; (b) to desire (sth., the Trinity), long for.