v. want·ed, want·ing, wants
v.tr.
1.
a. To desire greatly; wish for: They want to leave. She wants a glass of water. See Synonyms atdesire.
b. To desire (someone to do something): I want you to clean your room.
2.
a. To request the presence or assistance of: You are wanted by your office.
b. To seek with intent to capture: The fugitive is wanted by the police.
3. To have an inclination toward; like: Say what you want, but be tactful.
4. Informal To be obliged (to do something): You want to be careful on the ice.
5. To be without; lack. See Synonyms at lack.
6. To be in need of; require: "'Your hair wants cutting,' said the Hatter" (Lewis Carroll).
v.intr.
1. To have need: wants for nothing.
2. To be destitute or needy.
3. To be disposed; wish: Call me daily if you want.
n.
Phrasal Verbs:1. The condition or quality of lacking something usual or necessary: stayed home for want of anything better to do.
2. Pressing need; destitution: lives in want.
3. Something desired: a person of few wants and needs.
4. A defect of character; a fault.
want in Slang
1. To desire greatly to enter: The dog wants in.
2. To wish to join a project, business, or other undertaking.
want out Slang
1. To desire greatly to leave: The cat wants out.
2. To wish to leave a project, a business, or other undertaking.
[Middle English wanten, to be lacking, from Old Norse vanta; see eu
- in Indo-European roots.]
- in Indo-European roots.]Context: My pastor was using the second definition of want when we were discussing the word. My mind was stuck on the first want which is a desire to do something out of a wish for, or a desire. Often the words we use can have multiple meanings and our presupposition has captured only one of the two meanings. A mad hatter argues semantics without looking up a word in the dictionary. However, sometimes it is a fine thing to be crazy, for than you are free to say what you want to say, when you want to say it.
