Forms: 4–5 apetyte, 5 -yght, appetit, -yt, appatyt, 5–6 apetite, 6 -ide, appetyd(e, 4–6 appetyte, 4– appetite. [a. OFr. apetit, ad. L. appetītus desire toward, f. appetĕre: see APPETE.] Const. for; formerly to, of, and inf.
1. Bent of the mind toward the attainment of an object or purpose; desire, inclination, disposition.
1382. Wyclif, Ezek. xxi. 16. Whidir euere is the appetit, or desier, of thi face.
1494. Fabyan, VII. ccxxii. 247. To staunche ye apetyte of his couetyse mynde.
1528. More, Heresyes, IV. Wks. 273/1. Suche cruell appetyte … ascrybe they to the benygne nature of almyghtye God.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. ii. III. xi. These Concupiscible and Irascible Appetites … twining about the heart.
1756. Burke, Vind. Nat. Soc., Wks. I. 12. This society, founded in natural appetites … I shall call natural society.
a. 1871. Grote, Eth. Fragm., v. (1876), 129. Obeying without reflection the appetite of the moment.
b. with the object of desire expressed.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, XXII. 9104. Achilles hade appetite … The Citie for to se.
1549. Latimer, 7 Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 103. She dyd it not for appetite of vengeaunce.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, II. IV. vi. § 5. 239. Ptolomie had a great appetite … to the Isle of Cyprus.
1775. Sheridan, Rivals, V. i. With such an appetite for consolation.
1875. Hamerton, Intell. Life, II. i. 48. Gratification of an appetite for melody or colour.
2. vaguely, Inclination, preference, liking, fancy. To or after one’s appetite: just as one pleases, so as to suit one’s tastes. arch.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xix. 71. That I myghte vse my lif to myn appetyte and … be at my fre wyll.
1526. Skelton, Magnyf., 1437. Syr, ye shall follow mine appetyte and intent.
1534. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), Z ij. This oratour spake after the appetite of them that bee in prosperitie.
1580. Lyly, Euphues, 248. I have an appetite it were best for me to take a nap.
1860. Motley, Netherl. (1868), I. v. 237. He will make a treaty according to the appetite and pleasure of his Highness.
3. esp. The determinate desire to satisfy the natural necessities, or fulfil the natural functions, of the body; one of those instinctive cravings which secure the preservation of the individual and the race.
1366. Maundev., xix. 157. The folk … han but litille appetyt to mete.
1393. Gower, Conf., II. 102. Which ȝiveth great appetite To slepe.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. Prol. 3. Naturally As Woman and Man has appetyte.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 443. Craifishes … in wine … moue appetite to the siege.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 120, ¶ 4. The most violent Appetites in all Creatures are Lust and Hunger.
1855. Bain, Senses & Int., II. iii. § 1 (1864), 255. I am of opinion that Appetite, being a species or form of Volition, is … a combination of instinct and education.
1876. Mozley, Univ. Serm., vii. 147. We have those appetites so long as we remain in the flesh.
4. spec. Craving for food, hunger.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 7235. Sum of hem [chyldryn] wex ful tyte, Þarfore ys more here appetyte.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, III. 541. Thai eyt It with full gud will, That soucht nane othir salss thar-till Bot appetyt.
1444. Pol. Poems, II. 220. Whoo that is hungry, and hath no thyng but boonys To staunche his apetyght.
1509. Fisher, Wks., 294. She restrayned her appetyte tyl one mele and tyl one Fysshe on the day.
1605. Shaks., Macb., III. iv. 38. Now good digestion waite on Appetite, And health on both.
a. 1652. Brome, Demoiselle, Prol. ’Tis appetite makes dishes, ’tis not cooks.
1857. Buckle, Civiliz., I. xi. 629. Men must have appetite before they will eat.
b. transf. or fig.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. viii. § 2. Learning doth minister to all the diseases of the mind … sometimes helping digestion, sometimes increasing appetite.
1825. J. Neal, Bro. Jonathan, III. 286. The truth was too insipid for … your pampered appetite.
5. Capacity for food, feeling as regards food; relish.
c. 1398. Chaucer, Fortune, 55. Wikke appetyt comth ay before sykenesse.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, ix. (1870), 252. Althoughe he haue eate ynoughe, whan he seth better meate come before hym, agaynst his appetyde he wyll eate.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 7, ¶ 2. I have seen a Man in Love … lose his appetite.
1830. Hor. Smith, Tin Trump., 30. Appetite—a relish bestowed upon the poorer classes, that they may like what they eat, while it is seldom enjoyed by the rich, because they may eat what they like.
† 6. Of things: Natural tendency towards. Obs.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 293. In all Bodies, there is an Appetite of Vnion.
1667. Boyle, Orig. Formes & Qual. Matter hath no appetite to these Accidents more then to any others.
7. The object of desire or longing. arch.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 822. Hontyng … is his joye and his appetyt.
c. 1500. Partenay, 2896. Ha! Melusine, my hertes Appetite.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, To Reader § 2. Adam was so created, that God was his appetite.
1798. Wordsw., Lines Tintern Abb., 81. The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood … were then to me An appetite.
† 8. Something used to create an appetite; a whet, a relish. (So in Fr.) Obs.
1693. Evelyn, De la Quint. Compl. Gard., II. 191. English Cives [Chives], otherwise called Appetites.
1725. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Herring, Red Herrings … salted and dried … they cry in the Streets of Paris by the Name of Appetite.
