Athirst: meaning, definitions and examples
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athirst
[ əˈθɜrst ]
describing thirst
The word 'athirst' is an archaic term that describes a state of being thirsty or a strong desire for water. It conveys an intense feeling of needing hydration, often used in a more poetic or literary context. 'Athirst' can also signify a longing for something other than physical water, such as knowledge or experience. Though its usage has diminished in modern language, it can still evoke vivid imagery in writing.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- After walking for hours in the sun, I felt athirst for a cool drink.
- She stood athirst at the edge of the mighty river, longing to quench her thirst.
- The athlete was athirst, desperately seeking water after the marathon.
Translations
Translations of the word "athirst" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sedento
🇮🇳 प्यासा
🇩🇪 durstig
🇮🇩 haus
🇺🇦 спраглий
🇵🇱 spragniony
🇯🇵 渇望している
🇫🇷 assoiffé
🇪🇸 sediento
🇹🇷 susamış
🇰🇷 목마른
🇸🇦 عطش
🇨🇿 žíznivý
🇸🇰 smädný
🇨🇳 口渴的
🇸🇮 žejan
🇮🇸 þyrstur
🇰🇿 сусыз
🇬🇪 წყურვილი
🇦🇿 susuz
🇲🇽 sediento
Etymology
The term 'athirst' is derived from the Old English word 'aþyrstan', which combines the prefix 'a-' meaning 'in' or 'at' and 'thirst' denoting the need for drink. Its usage can be traced back to the early centuries of the English language when poetic forms often employed such terms to express deeper sensory experiences. While similar words like 'thirsty' have persisted into contemporary usage, 'athirst' has largely fallen out of favor, preserved mainly in literary or archaic contexts. This evolution highlights how language transforms over time, with certain terms becoming obsolete while others remain in common vernacular.