Thirst (?), n. [OE. thirst, þurst, AS. þurst, þyrst; akin to D. dorst, OS. thurst, G. durst, Icel. þorsti, Sw. & Dan. törst, Goth. þaúrstei thirst, þaúrsus dry, withered, þaúrsieþ mik I thirst, gaþaírsan to wither, L. torrere to parch, Gr. τέρσεσθαι to become dry, τεσαίνειν to dry up, Skr. tṛsh to thirst. √54. Cf. Torrid.] 1. A sensation of dryness in the throat associated with a craving for liquids, produced by deprivation of drink, or by some other cause (as fear, excitement, etc.) which arrests the secretion of the pharyngeal mucous membrane; hence, the condition producing this sensation.
Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us, and our children... with thirst? Ex. xvii. 3.
With thirst, with cold, with hunger so confounded. Chaucer.
2. Fig.: A want and eager desire after anything; a craving or longing; — usually with for, of, or after; as, the thirst for gold. “Thirst of worldy good.” Fairfax. “The thirst I had of knowledge.” Milton.