a. [ L. anxius, fr. angere to cause pain, choke; akin to Gr. 'a`gchein to choke. See Anger. ] 1. Full of anxiety or disquietude; greatly concerned or solicitous, esp. respecting something future or unknown; being in painful suspense; -- applied to persons; as, anxious for the issue of a battle. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Accompanied with, or causing, anxiety; worrying; -- applied to things; as, anxious labor. [ 1913 Webster ] The sweet of life, from which
God hath bid dwell far off all anxious cares. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Earnestly desirous; as, anxious to please. [ 1913 Webster ] He sneers alike at those who are anxious to preserve and at those who are eager for reform. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ] Anxious is followed by for, about, concerning, etc., before the object of solicitude. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Solicitous; careful; uneasy; unquiet; restless; concerned; disturbed; watchful. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
