myEtymology.com: English etymology of desire

Etymology of the English word desire

the English word desire

derived from the French word désirer

derived from the Latin word desiderare (desire, want, long; want to know; investigate, examine)

using the Late Latin prefix de-

derived from the Latin word de (away; down)

derived from the Medieval Latin word sidus (star; constellation; tempest)

derived from the Old French word desirer

derived from the Latin word desiderare (desire, want, long; want to know; investigate, examine)

using the Late Latin prefix de-

derived from the Latin word de (away; down)

derived from the Medieval Latin word sidus (star; constellation; tempest)

The earliest known usage of desire in English dates from the 13th century.

Catalan desitjar, French désirer, Italian desiare, Portuguese desejar, Spanish desear

Word found in Modern English