ANXIOUS Anx"ious, a. Etym: [L. anxius, fr. angere to cause pain, choke; akin to Gr. Anger.]
1. Full of anxiety or disquietude; greatly concerned or solicitous, esp. respecting future or unknown; being in painful suspense; — applied to persons; as, anxious for the issue of a battle.
2. Accompanied with, or causing, anxiety; worrying; — applied to things; as, anxious labor. The sweet of life, from which God hath bid dwell far off all anxious cares. Milton.
3. Earnestly desirous; as, anxious to please. He sneers alike at those who are anxious to preserve and at those who are eager for reform. Macaulay.
Note: Anxious is followed by for, about, concerning, etc., before the object of solicitude.
Syn. — Solicitous; careful; uneasy; unquiet; restless; concerned; disturbed; watchful.
ANXIOUSLY
Anx"ious*ly, adv.
Defn: In an anxious manner; with painful uncertainty; solicitously.
ANXIOUSNESS
Anx"ious*ness, n.
Defn: The quality of being anxious; great solicitude; anxiety.