hanker
verb (used without object)
to have a restless or incessant longing (often followed by after, for, or an infinitive).
had hankered
-
past perfectof hanker.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ever since his student days at Johns Hopkins and in England, Germany, Switzerland and France, William Seifriz had hankered for generous supplies of "naked proto-plasm."
From Time Magazine Archive
That Richard meant murder to Henry, he had never believed; but that he had hankered after his brothers, and held dangerous communings with them, was evidently still credited and unforgiven.
From The Prince and the Page; a story of the last crusade by Charlotte Mary Yonge
Even the hat she had hankered for was there, a simple shepherdess shape of light grey felt, which shape had always been most becoming to the grand style of her features.
From The Song of Songs by Hermann Sudermann
In his youth Wanning had hankered for the pen.
From A Collection of Stories, Reviews and Essays by Willa Sibert Cather
The Dean had hankered much after the office, but had abstained from asking with a feeling that should the request be refused a coolness would be engendered which he himself would be unable to repress.
From Is He Popenjoy? by Anthony Trollope
