appetite

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a feeling of craving something

   an appetite for life

2. 2
   noun

   A desire to eat food or consume drinks.

   And I return with an excellent appetite. There can be no question, my dear Watson, of the value of exercise before breakfast.

3. 3
   noun

   Any strong desire; an eagerness or longing.

   If God had given to eagles an appetite to swim.

4. 4
   noun

   The desire for some personal gratification, either of the body or of the mind.

   appetite for reading

Etymology

From 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.