Appetite
Pronunciation
- US IPA: /ˈæp.ə.taɪt/
- Homophones: apatite
Origin
Middle English appetit, from Old French apetit (French appétit), from Latin appetitus, from appetere ("to strive after, long for"); ad + petere ("to seek"). See petition, and compare with appetence.
Full definition of appetite
Noun
appetite
(plural appetites)- Desire for, or relish of, food or drink; hunger.
- 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 5, The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite. There is something humiliating about it.
- Any strong desire; an eagerness or longing.
- unknown date Jeremy Taylor (1613–1677)If God had given to eagles an appetite to swim.
- unknown date Thomas Macaulay (1800-1859)To gratify the vulgar appetite for the marvelous.
- The desire for some personal gratification, either of the body or of the mind.
- unknown date Richard Hooker (1554-1600)The object of appetite is whatsoever sensible good may be wished for; the object of will is that good which reason does lead us to seek.
- A taste, preference.