yearn

1. (intransitive, also figuratively) To have a strong desire for something or to do something; to long for or to do something.Examples: "All I yearn for is a simple life."; "I muſt do that my heart-ſtrings yern to do: but my word's paſt."; "You are now before my eyes, my eyes that are ready to flow with tenderness, but cannot give relief to my gushing heart, that dictates what I am now saying, and yearns to tell you all its achings."Synonyms: pant, salivatealsofigurativelyintransitive

2. (intransitive, also figuratively) To have a strong desire for something or to do something; to long for or to do something.Examples: "If I don’t go now, thought Charlotte, I shall have lost a chance which I shall eternally regret and yearn after."; "Having shaken the dust of the ugly new South Africa from his feet, is he yearning for the South Africa of the old days, when Eden was still possible?"Synonyms: pant, salivatealsofigurativelyintransitivespecifically

3. (intransitive) Of music, words, etc.: to express strong desire or longing.Examples: "The music, yearning like a God in pain, / She scarcely heard: […]"intransitive

4. (intransitive, dated) To have strong feelings of affection, love, sympathy, etc., toward someone.Examples: "And Joſeph made haſte: for his bowels did yerne upon his brother: and he ſought where to weepe, and hee entred into his chamber, & wept there."; "I have left your mother in the next room. Her heart yearns towards you."; "Oh, it was a pretty sight to see this modest young creature, little more than a child herself, anticipating maternity, but blushing every now and then, and looking askant at her lord and master. How his very bowels yearned over her!"datedintransitive

5. (intransitive, obsolete) To be distressed or pained; to grieve; to mourn.Examples: "My father’s and my uncle Toby’s hearts yearn’d with ſympathy for the poor fellow’s diſtreſs,—[…]"intransitiveobsolete

6. (transitive) Often followed by out: to perform (music) which conveys or say (words) which express strong desire or longing.transitive