Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-SIRE', n. [s as z; Fr. desir; It. desio; Sp. deseo; Port. desojo; Arm. desir. Qu. W. dais.]

1. An emotion or excitement of the mind, directed to the attainment or possession of an object from which pleasure, sensual, intellectual or spiritual, is expected; a passion excited by the love of an object, or uneasiness at the want of it, and directed to its attainment or possession. Desire is a wish to possess some gratification or source of happiness which is supposed to be obtainable. A wish may exist for something that is or is not obtainable. Desire, when directed solely to sensual enjoyment, differs little from appetite. In other languages, desire is expressed by longing or reaching toward, [Gr. ορεγω, L. appeto,] and when it is ardent or intense, it approaches to longing, but the word in English usually expresses less than longing. We endeavored … to see your face with great desire. – 1 Thess. ii. Thou satisfiest the desires of every living thing. – Ps. cxlv. Desire is that internal act, which, by influencing the will, makes us proceed to action. – El. of Criticism.
2. A prayer or request to obtain. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him. – Ps. cxlv.
3. The object of desire; that which is desired. The desire of all nations shall come. – Hag. ii.
4. Love; affection. His desire is toward me. – Cant. vii.
5. Appetite; lust. Fulfilling the desires of the flesh. – Eph. ii.