athirst, ppl. a.
(əˈθɜːst)
Forms: 1 of-þyrst(ed, 3–4 of-þurst; 4 afurst, 5 afforst; 4 athrist, -yst, 4–6 athurst(e, athrust, 5–6 athyrst(e, 6– athirst.
[Worn-down form of OE. ofþyrst, for ofþyrsted, pa. pple. of ofþyrstan to suffer thirst, be very thirsty. Cf. a- hungered, and a- prefix 3.]
1. Suffering from, or oppressed by, thirst; thirsty.
| a 1000 Soul (Gr.) 40 Ic ofþyrsted wæs..gástes drynces. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 199 Þe neddre beð of-þurst..and drinkeð. c 1300 Vox & Wolf 273 He wes hofthurst swithe stronge. c 1305 St. Kenelm in E.E.P. (1862) 56 Aþurst hi were for werinisse. c 1320 Cast. Love (Halliw.) 1654 When I was afurst ȝe ȝeve me dryng. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. xxxviii. (1495) 153 A drye stomake is sone athryst. c 1480 Robt. Devyll 20 If ye be a thrust ye shall drynke nowe. a 1500 Frere & Boy 21 in Hazl. E.P.P. III. 61 Nor halffe ynowh therof he had, Oft he was afforst. 1535 Coverdale Judges iv. 19 Geue me a litle water to drynke, for I am a thyrst. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. III 213 And, when athirst, restrain 'em from the Flood. 1805 Southey Madoc in W. v. Wks. V. 43 Fatigued and hungry and athirst. |
2. fig. Eager, earnestly desirous, longing (for).
| 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. lxxv. 59 To hem that ben a thyrste hys worde shal be Gospell. 1535 Coverdale Ps. xlii. 1 My soule is a thurste for God. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. i. ix. 23 He is athirst to know the issue of the matter. 1877 L. Morris Epic Hades ii. 132 Bold young hearts, Athirst for fame of war. |