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/wont, wawnt/, v.t.1. to feel a need or a desire for; wish for: to want one's dinner; always wanting something new.2. to wish, need, crave, demand, or desire (often fol. by an infinitive): I want to see you. She wants to be notified.3. to be without or be deficient in: to want judgment; to want knowledge.4. to fall short by (a specified amount): The sum collected wants but a few dollars of the desired amount.5. to require or need: The house wants painting.v.i.6. to feel inclined; wish; like (often fol. by to): We can stay home if you want.7. to be deficient by the absence of some part or thing, or to feel or have a need (sometimes fol. by for): He did not want for abilities.8. to have need (usually fol. by for): If you want for anything, let him know.9. to be in a state of destitution, need, or poverty: She would never allow her parents to want.10. to be lacking or absent, as a part or thing necessary to completeness: All that wants is his signature.11. want in or out, Chiefly Midland.a. to desire to enter or leave: The cat wants in.b. Informal. to desire acceptance in or release from something specified: I talked with Louie about our plan, and he wants in.n.12. something wanted or needed; necessity: My wants are few.13. something desired, demanded, or required: a person of childish, capricious wants.14. absence or deficiency of something desirable or requisite; lack: plants dying for want of rain.15. the state of being without something desired or needed; need: to be in want of an assistant.16. the state of being without the necessaries of life; destitution; poverty: a country where want is virtually unknown.17. a sense of lack or need of something: to feel a vague want.[1150-1200; ME wante < ON vanta to lack]Syn. 1. require, crave. See wish. 3. need. See lack. 12. desideratum. 14. dearth, scarcity, scarceness, inadequacy, insufficiency, paucity, meagerness. 16. privation, penury, indigence. See poverty.
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Universalium. 2010.
