athirst

adjective \ə-ˈthərst\

Definition of ATHIRST

archaic : thirsty

: having a strong eager desire <I that for ever feel athirst for glory — John Keats>

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Origin of ATHIRST

Middle English, from Old English ofthyrst, past participle of ofthyrstan to suffer from thirst, from of off, from + thyrstan to thirst — more at of

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to ATHIRST

Synonyms: agog, antsy, anxious, ardent, eager, avid, crazy, desirous, enthused, enthusiastic, excited, geeked [slang], great, greedy, gung ho, hepped up, hopped-up, hot, hungry, impatient, juiced, keen, nuts, pumped, raring, solicitous, stoked [slang], thirsty, voracious, wild

Antonyms: apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic

Synonym Discussion of ATHIRST

eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest. eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint <eager to get started>. avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed <avid for new thrills>. keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action <keen on the latest fashions>. anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment <anxious not to make a social blunder>. athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action <athirst for adventure>.

Rhymes with ATHIRST

accursed, airburst, at first, cloudburst, downburst, emersed, face-first, feetfirst, groundburst, headfirst, outburst, starburst, sunburst

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