in a general sense, the desire of enjoying some object, supposed to be conducive to our happiness. This term is applied particularly to hunger, thirst, and the appetite of sex. Considered as principles of action, the appetites are distinguished by the following circumstances—1. They take their rise from the body, and are common to us with the brutes. 2. They are not constant, but occasional. 3. They are accompanied with an uneasy sensation, which is strong or weak in proportion to the strength or weakness of the appetite. See Stewart's Philosophy of the Active Powers, book i. chap. i.