Etymology From Middle English desir, desire (noun) and desiren (verb), from Old French desirer, desirrer, from Latin dēsīderō (“to long for, desire, feel the want of, miss, regret”), apparently from de- + sidus (in the phrase de sidere, "from the stars") in connection with astrological hopes. Compare consider and desiderate. The verb, along with Old Norse derived want (verb), has mostly replaced native will in modern English.
1
To want; to wish for earnestly.
I desire to speak with you.
Neither shall any man desire thy land.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Exodus 34:24:
1 more example
[S]eeing you desire your child to live, / Thanks, but you work against your own desire; […]1874, Alfred Tennyson, “Lancelot and Elaine”, in Idylls of the King (The Works of Alfred Tennyson; VI), cabinet edition, London: Henry S. King & Co., […], →OCLC, page 88:
2
To put a request to (someone); to entreat.
And when they founde no cause of deeth in hym, yet desired they Pilate to kyll him.1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Acts:
Mr. Barrett, however, by fawning and flattery, seemed to be able to make not only Mrs. Churchill but everyone else do what he desired.1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter III, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC, page 15:
3
To want emotionally or sexually.
She has desired him since they first met.
4
To express a wish for; to entreat; to request.
Then shee said, Did I desire a sonne of my Lord ? did I not say, Doe not deceiue me?1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Kings 4:28:
Desire him to go in; trouble him no more.c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene vii]:
5
To require; to demand; to claim.
A doleful case desires a doleful song.c. 1580, Edmund Spenser, The Teares of the Muses:
6
To miss; to regret.
She shall be pleasant while she lives, and desired when she dies.1651–1653, Jer[emy] Taylor, ΕΝΙΑΥΤΟΣ [Eniautos]. A Course of Sermons for All the Sundays of the Year. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Richard Royston […], published 1655, →OCLC:
Etymology From Middle English desir, desire (noun) and desiren (verb), from Old French desirer, desirrer, from Latin dēsīderō (“to long for, desire, feel the want of, miss, regret”), apparently from de- + sidus (in the phrase de sidere, "from the stars") in connection with astrological hopes. Compare consider and desiderate. The verb, along with Old Norse derived want (verb), has mostly replaced native will in modern English.
1
Usually The feeling of desiring; an eager longing for something.
Too much desire can seriously affect one’s judgement.
He stood...filled with the desire that his son should be like him, and should have sons like him, to people the earth. It is the strongest desire that can come to a man - if it comes to him at all - stronger even than love or the desire for personal immortality.1905, E[dward] M[organ] Forster, chapter 7, in Where Angels Fear to Tread, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC:
2
Usually Someone or something wished for.
It is my desire to speak with you.
You’re my heart’s desire.
1 more example
It is tempting to speculate about the incentives or compulsions that might explain why anyone would take to the skies in [the] basket [of a balloon]: perhaps out of a desire to escape the gravity of this world or to get a preview of the next; […].2013 June 7, David Simpson, “Fantasy of navigation”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 36:
3
Usually Strong attraction, particularly romantic or sexual.
His desire for her kept him awake at night.
Doesn't my body drive you wild with desire?1972, Jay Presson Allen, Cabaret, spoken by Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli):