1. (

• hanker ,
• long ,
• yearn

) desire strongly or persistently ;

2. (

• ache ,
• yearn ,
• yen ,
• pine ,
• languish

) have a desire for something or someone who is not present; "She ached for a cigarette"; "I am pining for my lover" ;

3. (

• yearn ,

) have affection for; feel tenderness for ;