want

want [wänt, wônt]

vt.

[ME wanten < ON vanta, to be lacking, want: see WANT the n.]

1. to have too little of; be deficient in; lack

2. to be short by (a specified amount) [it wants twelve minutes of midnight]

3. to feel the need of; long for; crave [to want adventure]

4. to desire; wish or long: followed by the infinitive [to want to travel]

5.

a) to wish to see or speak with (someone) [wanted on the phone]

b) to wish to apprehend, as for questioning or arrest [wanted by the police]

6. Chiefly Brit. to require; need [this wants attending to]: Want is also used informally as an auxiliary meaning ought or should [ you want to be careful crossing streets ]

vi.

1. to have a need or lack: usually with for [to want for money]

2. to lack the necessities of life; be destitute or impoverished [“Waste not, want not”]

3. Rare to be lacking or missing for completeness or a certain result [there wants but his approval]

n.

[ME < ON vant, neut. of vanr, deficient < IE base * (e)wā-, to lack > L vanus, empty]

1. the state or fact of lacking, or having too little of, something needed or desired; scarcity; shortage; lack [to suffer from want of adequate care]

2. a lack of the necessities of life; poverty; destitution [to live in want]

3. a wish or desire for something; craving

4. something needed or desired but lacking; need

SYN.- DESIRE, LACK, POVERTY

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want in or want out or want off

Informal to want to get, go, or come in (or out, off, etc.)

wanter

n.