Desires something strongly and earnestly; yearns for something that seems far away or difficult to obtain.
From Old English 'langian,' related to 'long' (duration), suggesting a desire that stretches out over time. The meaning evolved from the physical sense of 'extending' to the emotional sense of 'yearning.'
Longing is what poets and songwriters mine for their deepest material—it's the gap between where you are and where you want to be that creates the most powerful human emotions. That's why love songs are full of longing!
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