▪ I. craving, vbl. n.
(ˈkreɪvɪŋ)
[see -ing1.]
† 1. Accusation; persecution. Obs.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter cxviii. 134 Fra craving of men [L. a calumniis hominum] me bie þou. |
2. Earnest or urgent asking; begging.
| c 1430 Freemasonry 359 Loke that thou pay wele every mon algate..That no cravynge be y-mad to the. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 29 Shamfull crauyng must haue shamefull naie. 1612–5 Bp. Hall Contempl., N.T. ii. vi, The opening of the Malady was a craving of cure. 1648 Eikon Bas., Let my craving, O Lord, be accepted of. 1704 J. Logan in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. IX. 345 An unjust method of craving and getting. |
† b. craving of the principle (Logic): = L. petitio principii or ‘begging the question’. Obs.
| 1587 Golding De Mornay ix. 122 Is not this a setting downe of that thing for a ground, which..resteth to be prooued, and (to speake after his owne maner) a crauing of the principle? |
c. See crave n. b.
3. Urgent desire; longing, yearning.
| 16.. R. L'Estrange (J), A regular vicissitude and succession of cravings and satiety. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. i. §1 The first care of mankind is to supply the cravings of nature. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. vii. 182 A craving after prophecies..had infected all ranks. 1890 Besant Demoniac 58 A man liable to attacks of craving for strong drink. |
▪ II. ˈcraving, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
1. That asks or begs earnestly; urgent or importunate in asking or beseeching.
| 1668 Rycaut Ottoman Emp. (1686) 161 Covetous and craving Turks. 1745 De Foe's Eng. Tradesman ii. (1841) I. 17 Our poor are very craving, and Money at this time very scarce. 1887 Charity Organ. Rev. Nov. 416 Craving appeals in the newspapers. |
2. Urgently desiring, longing, hungering.
| 1688 Miege Fr. Dict. s.v., To have a craving stomach. 1757 Johnson Rambler No. 155 ¶8 When some craving passion shall be fully gratified. 1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. v. 187 Meer Causim..regarded the supposed treasures..with a craving appetite. |