Main Entry: ¹wish

Pronunciation: \ˈwish\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English wisshen, from Old English wȳscan; akin to Old High German wunsken to wish, Sanskrit vāñchati he wishes, vanoti he strives for — more at win

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 : to have a desire for (as something unattainable) <wished he could live his life over>
2 : to give expression to as a wish : bid <wish them good night>
3 a : to give form to (a wish) b : to express a wish for c : to request in the form of a wish : order d : to desire (a person or thing) to be as specified <cannot wish our problems away>
4 : to confer (something unwanted) on someone : foistintransitive verb 1 : to have a desire : want <wishing for more>
2 : to make a wish <wish on a falling star>

synonyms see desire

— wish·er noun