Athirst can mean thirsty (from the Old English ofthyrst apparently). It also means eager or strongly desirous as in athirst for knowledge. I think I'll combine them into athirst for a nice cold glass of wine.The second definition surprised me. I'd heard the phrase and understood the meaning, but had thought it was written as 'a thirst for knowledge'.
13 comments:
Hi Patsy - interesting to read this .. "athirst" for more coffee .. but love the photo - cheers Hilary
I'm always athirst for snippets about words. And you were right all along, of course, cos being "athirst for knowledge" = having "a thirst for knowledge". :)
I always thought it was "a thirst for knowledge," too. In fact, I never even knew the word "athirst" existed before. Interesting!
I can think of all sorts of applications for that word, none of which I will repeat here...
I assumed it was two words too
lol.
I had always assumed it was two words - we learn something every day!
It's tea I'm getting through a lot of at the moment, Hilary. One pot per castle, or other point of interest adds up to gallons of the stuff.
I like your reasoning, Rob.
Glad I wasn't alone in thinking that, Heather.
Thanks for the restraint, Alex.
I'm starting to think my dictionary has it wrong, R Mac.
We do, Rosemary!
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