wɔnt v. & n. --v. 1 tr. a (often foll. by to + infin.)
desire;
wish for possession of;
need (wants a
toy train; wants it
done immediately; wanted to leave; wanted
him to leave). b need or desire (a
person,
esp. sexually). c esp.
Brit.
require to be attended to in esp. a specified
way (the
garden wants weeding). d (foll. by to + infin.) colloq. ought;
should; need (you want to
pull yourself together;
you don't want to
overdo it). 2 intr. (usu. foll. by for)
lack; be
deficient (wants for nothing). 3 tr. be
without or
fall short by (esp. a specified
amount or thing) (the
drawer wants a handle). 4 intr. (foll. by
in, out) esp. US colloq. desire to be in,
out, etc. (wants in on
the deal). 5 tr. (as wanted adj.) (of a suspected
criminal etc.)
sought by the
police. --n. 1 (often foll. by of) a a lack,
absence, or
deficiency (could
not go for want of
time; shows
great want of judgement). b
poverty; need (living in great want; in want of necessities). 2 a a desire for a
thing etc. (meets a long-felt want). b a thing so desired (can supply
your wants). ødo not want to am
unwilling to. want ad US a
classified newspaper advertisement for
something sought. øøwanter n. [ME f. ON vant neut. of vanr
lacking = OE wana, formed as WANE]
