yearn definition

To pain; to grieve; to vex. "She laments, sir, for it, that it would yearn your heart to see it." "It yearns me not if men my garments wear." (Shak)

Origin: Also earn, ern; probably a corruption of OE. Ermen to grieve, AS. Ierman, yrman, or geierman, geyrman, fr. Earm wretched, poor; akin to D. & G. Arm, Icel. Armr, Goth. Arms. The y- in English is perhaps due to the AS. Ge.

To be filled with longing desire; to be harassed or rendered uneasy with longing, or feeling the want of a thing; to strain with emotions of affection or tenderness; to long; to be eager. "Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother; and he sought where to weep." (Gen. Xliii. 30) "Your mother's heart yearns towards you." (Addison)

(01 Mar 1998)