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thirst
thirst sensation indicating the body's need for water. Dry or salty food and dry, dusty air may induce such a sensation by depleting moisture in the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat. Relief through ingestion of water is only temporary, however, if thirst results from a generalized depletion of water in the system. About three fourths of the body is composed of fluids, and the average adult requires 2 1/2 qt (2.4 liters) of fluid per day, supplied by water, other beverages, and foods. Depriving the body of water interferes with its metabolism and functions, causing dehydration, which is eventually fatal. The unnatural thirst that accompanies fever, diabetes, and other disorders is caused by a rapid reduction of the body fluids. The sensation of thirst is controlled by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus in the brain. Dehydration of the cells triggers the posterior pituitary to releast the antidiuretic hormone (ADH). |
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"thirst." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "thirst." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-thirst.html "thirst." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-thirst.html |
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thirst
thirst / [unvoicedth]ərst/ • n. a feeling of needing or wanting to drink something: they quenched their thirst with spring water. ∎ lack of the liquid needed to sustain life: tens of thousands died of thirst and starvation. ∎ (usu. thirst for) poetic/lit. a strong desire for something: his thirst for knowledge was mainly academic. • v. [intr.] archaic (of a person or animal) feel a need to drink something. ∎ (usu. thirst for/after) poetic/lit. have a strong desire for something: an opponent thirsting for revenge. |
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"thirst." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "thirst." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-thirst.html "thirst." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-thirst.html |
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thirst
thirst sb. OE. þurst = OS thurst (Du. dorst), (O)HG. durst :- WGmc. *þurstu (cf. ON. þorsti, Goth. þaurstei); f. *þurs- :- IE. *tṛs- *tors-, repr. also by L. torrēre dry, parch, Skr. tṛ́ṣyati thirsts, OIr. tart.
So thirst vb. OE. þyrstan (till late ME. also impers.). |
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T. F. HOAD. "thirst." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "thirst." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-thirst.html T. F. HOAD. "thirst." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-thirst.html |
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Thirst
641. Thirst
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"Thirst." Allusions--Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. 1986. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Thirst." Allusions--Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. 1986. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505500650.html "Thirst." Allusions--Cultural, Literary, Biblical, and Historical: A Thematic Dictionary. 1986. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505500650.html |
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thirst
thirst See water balance.
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DAVID A. BENDER. "thirst." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "thirst." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-thirst.html DAVID A. BENDER. "thirst." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-thirst.html |
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thirst
thirst
•accursed, burst, curst, erst, first, headfirst, Hurst, thirst, under-rehearsed, unrehearsed, unversed, verst, worst, wurst
•starburst • airburst • cloudburst
•outburst • sunburst • Sandhurst
•Pankhurst • Bathurst • knackwurst
•bratwurst
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"thirst." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "thirst." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-thirst.html "thirst." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-thirst.html |
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