athirst
|a-thirst|
🇺🇸
/əˈθɝst/
🇬🇧
/əˈθɜːst/
thirst / longing
Etymology
'athirst' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'āþurst' (or 'aþurst'), where the prefix 'a-' meant 'on/in' and 'þurst' meant 'thirst'.
'athirst' changed from the Middle English word 'athirst(e)' and eventually became the modern English word 'athirst'. The element 'þurst' derives from Proto-Germanic '*thurstaz'.
Initially, it meant 'in a state of thirst' (literal), but over time it also acquired the figurative meaning 'eager or longing for something'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
physically thirsty; feeling a need to drink (archaic or poetic)
After digging all day in the sun he felt athirst and went straight to the well.
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Adjective 2
eager or longing for something (often used with 'for')
She was athirst for knowledge, reading everything she could find.
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Adverb 1
in a thirsty manner; eagerly or avidly (archaic/poetic)
They drank athirst after the march.
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Last updated: 2025/11/11 08:56