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Webster 1913 Edition


Wishful

Wish′ful

,
Adj.
[Cf.
Wistful
.]
1.
Having desire, or ardent desire; longing.
2.
Showing desire;
as,
wishful
eyes
.
From Scotland am I stolen, even of pure love
To greet mine own land with my
wishful
sight.
Shakespeare
3.
Desirable; exciting wishes.
[R.]
Chapman.
Wish′ful-ly
,
adv.
Wish′ful-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Wishful

WISHFUL

,
Adj.
1.
Having desire, or ardent desire.
2.
Showing desire; as wishful eyes.
3.
Desirable; exciting wishes. [Bad.]

Definition 2024


wishful

wishful

English

Adjective

wishful (comparative more wishful, superlative most wishful)

  1. (obsolete) Wished-for; desired, wanted.
    • 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, V.9:
      The cry whereof entring the hollow cave / Eftsoones brought forth the villaine, as they ment, / With hope of her some wishfull boot to have.
  2. Expressing a wish or longing for something.
  3. Aspiring, or seeking advancement.

Derived terms

Translations