anxious
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English [edit]
Part or all of this entry has been imported from the 1913 edition of Webster’s Dictionary, which is now free of copyright and hence in the public domain. The imported definitions may be significantly out of date, and any more recent senses may be completely missing.
Alternative forms [edit]
- anctious (obsolete)
Etymology [edit]
Old French *anxios, Latin anxius, from angō (“to cause pain, choke”); akin to Ancient Greek ἄγχειν ('a`gchein, “to choke”). See anger.
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
anxious (comparative anxiouser or more anxious, superlative anxiousest or most anxious)
- Full of anxiety or disquietude; greatly concerned or solicitous, especially respecting something future or unknown; being in painful suspense;—applied to persons; as, anxious for the issue of a battle.
- I could tell she was anxious as she was biting her nails.
- 2012 May 13, Alistair Magowan, “Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd”, BBC Sport:
- But, with United fans in celebratory mood as it appeared their team might snatch glory, they faced an anxious wait as City equalised in stoppage time.
- Accompanied with, or causing, anxiety; worrying;—applied to things; as, anxious labor.
- The sweet of life, from which God hath bid dwell far off all anxious cares. -- John Milton.
- Earnestly desirous; as, anxious to please.
- He sneers alike at those who are anxious to preserve and at those who are eager for reform. -- Thomas Babington Macaulay.
- All the voters were anxious to hear the election result.
Usage notes [edit]
- Anxious is followed by for, about, concerning, etc., before the object of solicitude.
Synonyms [edit]
Related terms [edit]
Translations [edit]
full of anxiety
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accompanied with anxiety
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earnestly desirous
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External links [edit]
- anxious in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- anxious in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
