appetite

noun

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.

1. 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.”

   “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.”

2. Any strong desire; an eagerness or longing.

   “If God had given to eagles an appetite to swim.”

   “To gratify the vulgar appetite for the marvellous.”

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

   “appetite for reading”

   “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.”