Appetere

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To desire or crave something strongly; to seek after or aim to obtain a particular object or goal; to have an eager longing or appetite for a specific thing
2. Expressing a strong wish or inclination to achieve or acquire something; striving toward a target or aspiration with enthusiasm; feeling a keen attraction or want for an item or outcome
3. Indicating a powerful urge or hunger to possess or reach something; pursuing a motive or ambition with determination; showing an intense preference or yearning for a certain thing

Etymology: "Appetere" is the Latin verb meaning "to seek after, strive for, or desire," built from the prefix "ad-" ("toward") and "petere" ("to seek, aim at, make for"). Its base, "petere," is the source of English "petition," "compete," and "impetus," all of which carry the sense of heading toward something. The verb was the root of the English "appetite," which came in through Old French "appetit" from Latin "appetitus," the noun formed from the past participle of "appetere." English uses "appetite" for hunger, but the Latin sense was broader, covering any strong longing, whether for food, power, or fame. The bodily meaning narrowed over time, while the wider sense of craving survived in phrases like "an appetite for adventure."

Synonyms: desire, wish, long for, crave, yearn

Antonyms: dislike, reject, despise