desire

Where does the word "desire" come from? It comes from Latin desiderare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Desire’s story begins in Latin: desiderare meant “to long for, await from the stars.” Possibly literally to await what the stars will bring, from de- (from) and sidus (star). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as desirer. Carried into French for longing or wishing for something. It reached English by 1200s as desire. Settled as the English word for a strong wish or longing. Today, desire means a strong feeling of wanting to have or achieve something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient desiderare "to long for, await from the stars", possibly literally to await what the stars will bring, from de- (from) and sidus (star).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval desirer "to long for, to wish for", carried into French for longing or wishing for something.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s desire "a strong feeling of wanting something", settled as the English word for a strong wish or longing.