◙ verb 1. [with obj.] have a desire to possess or do (something); wish for • 想要；需要；渴望 »I want an apple. 我想要一个苹果。 »[with infinitive] we want to go to the beach. 我们想去海滩。 »[with obj. and infinitive] she wanted me to go to her room. 她想要我到她的房间去。 »[no obj.] I'll give you a lift into town if you want. 如果你需要，我将让你搭便车进城。 wish to consult or speak to (someone) • 想请教；想跟…讲话 »Tony wants me in the studio. 托尼有事想要我去画室。 [一般作 be wanted] (of the police) desire to question or apprehend (a suspected criminal) • （警方）缉拿；追捕（嫌疑犯） »he is wanted by the police in connection with an arms theft. 他因与一起武器盗窃案有牵连而被警方通缉。 desire (someone) sexually • （在性方面）想要（某人） »I've wanted you since the first moment I saw you. 自从第一次见到你，我就一直想要你。 [with present participle] (informal, chiefly Brit.)(of a thing) require to be attended to in a specified way • [非正式，主英] （东西）需要 »the wheel wants greasing. 轮子需要上油。 [with infinitive] [informal] ought, should, or need to do something • [非正式] 应该，需要 »you don't want to believe everything you hear. 你没必要相信所听到的一切事情。 [no obj.] (want in/into/out/away)(informal, chiefly US)desire to be in or out of a particular place or situation • [非正式，主英] 想进入（或离开）某地方（或某种境地） »if anyone wants out, there's the door. 如果有谁想离开，请便。 2. [no obj.] (chiefly archaic)lack or be short of something desirable or essential • [主古] 缺乏，缺少 »you shall want for nothing while you are with me. 你跟我在一起，什么都不会缺。 [with obj.] (chiefly used in expressions of time) be short of or lack (a specified amount or thing) • ［主要用于表达时间］缺，缺少（一定的量或某个东西） »it wanted twenty minutes to midnight. 离午夜还差20分钟。 »it wants a few minutes of five o'clock. 离5点还有几分钟。 ◙ noun 1. [mass noun] (chiefly archaic)a lack or deficiency of something • [主古] 缺乏，不足；需要 »Victorian houses which are in want of repair. 需要进行维修的维多利亚时代的房子。 »it won't be through want of trying. 这不会是因为缺乏尝试。 the state of being poor and in need of essentials;poverty • 匮乏，贫困 »freedom from want. 摆脱贫困。 2. a desire for something • 需要；渴望 »the expression of our wants and desires. 对我们需要和渴望的表达。
【IDIOMS】
◘ for want of 1. because of a lack of (something) • 因为缺乏 »for want of a better location we ate our picnic lunch in the cemetery. 由于没有更好的地方，我们只好在墓地吃野餐。
【派生】
♦ wanter noun
【语源】
1. Middle English: the noun from Old Norse vant, neuter of vanr 'lacking'; the verb from Old Norse vanta 'be lacking'. The original notion of ‘lack’ was early extended to ‘need’ and from this developed the sense 'desire'