ppl. a. Forms: 1 of-þyrst(ed, 3–4 of-þurst; 4 afurst, 5 afforst; 4 athrist, -yst, 4–6 athurst(e, athrust, 5–6 athyrst(e, 6– athirst. [Worn-down form of OE. ofþyrst, for ofþyrsted, pa. pple. of ofþyrstan to suffer thirst, be very thirsty. Cf. A-HUNGERED, and A- pref. 3.]
1. Suffering from, or oppressed by, thirst; thirsty.
a. 1000. Soul (Gr.), 40. Ic ofþyrsted wæs … gástes drynces.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 199. Þe neddre beð of-þurst … and drinkeð.
c. 1300. Vox & Wolf, 273. He wes hofthurst swithe stronge.
c. 1305. St. Kenelm, in E. E. Poems (1862), 56. Aþurst hi were for werinisse.
c. 1320. Cast. Love (Halliw.), 1654. When I was afurst ȝe ȝeve me dryng.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. xxxviii. (1495), 153. A drye stomake is sone athryst.
c. 1480. Robt. Devyll, 20. If ye be a thrust ye shall drynke nowe.
a. 1500. Frere & Boy, 21, in Hazl., E. P. P., III. 61. Nor halffe ynowh therof he had, Oft he was afforst.
1535. Coverdale, Judges iv. 19. Geue me a litle water to drynke, for I am a thyrst.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 213. And, when athirst, restrain ’em from the Flood.
1805. Southey, Madoc in W., v. Wks. V. 43. Fatigued and hungry and athirst.
2. fig. Eager, earnestly desirous, longing (for).
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., lxxv. 59. To hem that ben a thyrste hys worde shal be Gospell.
1535. Coverdale, Ps. xlii. 1. My soule is a thurste for God.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., I. ix. 23. He is athirst to know the issue of the matter.
1877. L. Morris, Epic Hades, II. 132. Bold young hearts, Athirst for fame of war.
