Definition of want for

The phrase "want for" is an ancient English idiom that has its roots in Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse languages. It can be traced back to the Old English phrase "hwāt fā he mā fourð," which roughly translates to "what he could or might attain." Over time, the phrase morphed into Old Norse-English "hwāt he wānted," meaning "what he wanted." By the 13th century, "want for" had come into usage in Middle English, and it retained its original meaning: to lack something that is necessary or desirable. Interestingly, the word "want" itself originated from the Old English verb "wannan," which means "to lack." It has evolved over time to adopt different meanings depending on the context, including "to desire strongly" or "to need." In modern-day English, "want for" is still widely used as a phrase to indicate that someone is not charged with a crime or offense although they may have committed one. This is because the phrase literally translates to "lacking a reason to be brought forward" or "lacking an indictment." In legal terminology, it essentially means that there isn't enough evidence to bring charges against the person accused of a crime. Other archaic meanings that have fallen out of use include "to wish for" and "to be awaited." In a broader sense, "want for" implies a lack or insufficiency of something essential, desired, or owed. The fact that its roots go back to Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse languages suggests that the concept of wanting or needing something has been an important part of human consciousness and expression for centuries.