Wish

Wish - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

WISH, v.i. [G.]

1. To have a desire, or strong desire, either for what is or is not supposed to be obtainable. It usually expresses less than long; but sometimes it denotes to long or wise earnestly. We often wise for what is not obtainable.

This is as good an argument as an antiquary could wish for.

They have more than heart could wish. Psa 73.

I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper. 3 John 2.

They cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. Acts 27.

2. To be disposed or inclined; as, to wish well to anothers affairs.

3. It sometimes partakes of hope or fear. I wish the event may prove fortunate, or less calamitous than we apprehend.

WISH, v.t.

1. To desire. I wish your prosperity.

Let them be driven backward and put to shame, that wish me evil. Psa 40.

2. To long for; to desire eagerly or ardently. It has this sense when expressed with emphasis.

3. To recommend by wishing.

I would not wish them to a fairer death.

4. To imprecate; as, to wish curses on an enemy.

5. To ask; to express desire.

WISH, n.

1. Desire; sometimes, eager desire. Job 33.

2. Desire expressed.

Blisterd be thy tongue for such a wish.

3. Thing desired. He has his wish.

The difference between wish and desire seems to be, that desire is directed to what is obtainable, and a wish may be directed to what is obtainable or not.

wish: The word appears both as a substantive and as a verb in the Old Testament, having a variety of meanings: (1) The substantive, peh, means "mouth" and also "speech." In this form it occurs in Job 33:6 margin: "Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead." Elihu here refers to Job's expressed desire for an umpire (9:33), and one who would maintain his right with God (16:21). (2) The verb: (a) haphets, "willing," or "desirous" (Ps 40:14 the King James Version); (b) sha'-al, "to ask," "petition," "supplicate" (Job 31:30 the King James Version); (c) another variation of meaning is found in Ps 73:7 where maskith, "to imagine," is translated "wish": "They have more than heart could wish"; (d) euchomai, "to solicit," "to implore" (Ro 9:3).

Arthur Walwyn Evans