want etymology

Etymology:

• Want: From Old English "wantan," meaning "lacking," "deficient," or "destitute."

Meaning:

• A desire or need for something that is not currently possessed or available.
• An absence or deficiency of something essential.
• An inadequate supply or resources.

Origin:

• The word "want" originated in the Proto-Germanic language as "wantuz," likely derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*went-," meaning "to turn, lack, or desire."
• This root is also the origin of words such as "turn," "wend," and "wind."
• The word "want" entered the English language in the 13th century.

Historical Usage:

• In medieval English, "want" often referred to a lack of material possessions or resources.
• By the 16th century, it had acquired the broader sense of a desire or need.
• Want has been a common theme in literature, from Shakespeare's "Hamlet" to Charles Dickens's "Oliver Twist," highlighting the human condition of desiring and lacking.

want relate terms

• wane

  Etymology Middle English wanien wanen to decline diminish from Old English wanian

• unwanted

  Etymology Unwanted Old English unwæned Proto Germanic unwēndiz Proto Indo Eur

• want

  Etymology Want From Old English wantan meaning lacking deficient or destitut

• need

  Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon meaning true m

• need

  Etymology The word etymology is derived from the Greek words étymon meaning true m

• indigence

  Etymology From Middle French indigence from Latin indigentiam nominative indigentia

• dishonesty

  Etymology Derived from Old French deshonete c 12th century From Late Latin dishon

• diffidence

  Etymology French diffidence from Late Latin diffidentia lack of trust from diffide

• search

  Etymology Origin Greek Etymology Etymos true real logia study of Mean

• chaser

  Etymology Early 17th century in the sense one who hunts something relentlessly

• essential

  Etymology Derived from the Latin words essentia essence and logos word discours